‘A gift from God’: Erling Haaland explains incredible goal that broke Brazilian hearts Football News
Erling Haaland produced another decisive performance at the World Cup on Sunday as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to advance to the finals. fifa world cup The men’s team reached the quarterfinals for the first time in history.The defeat also marked the end of an era for Brazil Neymar Jr. announced his retirement from international football after the game after the five-time world champions were shockingly eliminated. After a mostly quiet start to the game, Haaland came alive in the closing stages, scoring twice to send Norway into the quarter-finals and sparking celebrations across the Scandinavian nation. “Maybe this will write history in Norway,” Haaland said. “Everybody just has to enjoy themselves. It’s just a crazy day. It was one of the craziest days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, embrace it, enjoy the moment. “ The turning point came after a water break in the second half, when Norway coach Stoll Solbakken urged his star forward to empty the tank and attack with greater intensity. The message had the desired effect. At half-time, Andreas Schjelderup came on, changed Norway’s attack, and created two goals for Haaland. The striker gave Norway the lead with a header in the 79th minute and Danilo coolly added a goal between his legs just over two minutes later. Haaland’s brace took his tally of goals at this World Cup to seven, equaling Lionel Messi Argentina and France’s Kylian Mbappe compete for the Golden Boot. “It really went into the net and it felt like a gift from God,” Haaland said after scoring in his 14th consecutive international game. During this time, he has scored 27 goals and scored 62 goals in 54 games for Norway. Haaland was outstanding at one end, while veteran goalkeeper Ojan Nyland ensured Norway maintained control at the other end. The 35-year-old made one of the best saves of the World Cup when he dived low to the left to save Bruno Guimarães’ penalty in the 14th minute. He then made another excellent save to deny Enderrick’s shot and Brazil equalized. Nylander eventually narrowed the gap with a penalty kick from Neymar in stoppage time, but it was too late to prevent Brazil from being eliminated. The result marks one of the greatest achievements in the history of Norwegian men’s football. Although the Norwegian women’s team lifted the World Cup in 1995, the Norwegian men’s team had only reached the World Cup four times before and had never reached the last 16. They had not qualified before this tournament since 1998. “I think all Norwegian citizens are experiencing the night of a lifetime,” Solbakken said. “Some people say we changed Norway forever. Maybe they’ll get together for a week or so.” Norway will now face the winner of the last-16 match between Mexico and England in the quarter-finals in Miami Gardens, Florida. Solbakken revealed that more than a dozen of his friends have arranged trips to South Florida. For Brazil, the defeat marked another painful World Cup exit. Guimarães became the first Brazilian player to miss a penalty during the World Cup since Zico in 1986. The decision to have him take the penalty instead of Vinicius Junior was immediately scrutinized. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti defended the selection, explaining that Guimarães was identified as the designated receiver after a year of statistical analysis in the absence of Neymar and the unavailability of Rafinha due to injury. Brazil squandered other promising chances, including Casemiro’s failure to find Neymar’s cross that could have equalized. “We really didn’t create chances,” captain Marquinhos said. “We had a penalty and we had some other chances, but this is your World Cup. The one who makes the fewest mistakes gets to the next round and wins.” The five-time world champion was eliminated earlier than expected after entering the tournament. This also ended Brazil’s record of eight consecutive World Cup quarter-finals, with the Selecao failing to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1990. Brazil has lost seven consecutive games against European opponents in the knockout stages of the World Cup, a run that dates back to a victory over Germany in the 2002 final. The absence of midfielder Lucas Paqueta due to injury further weakens the team. Haaland said: “I’ve reached peaks many times in this tournament, but this is a new peak.”
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