World Cup 2026: Why Erling Haaland is the man no one wants to face as Norway make history

Erling Haaland’s distinctive bobbing blonde hair is typically one of the most recognizable features on a football pitch. In most matches, he is seen charging into open space at full speed, forcing defenders to scramble in his pursuit. However, the dynamics were different during Norway’s crucial match against Brazil on Sunday. Despite a quieter involvement, Haaland scored twice to secure a 2-1 victory, marking Norway’s first appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals in their history.

The 25-year-old striker had only four touches inside the penalty box during the last-16 tie. Nevertheless, one of those moments was decisive. He broke the deadlock in the 79th minute. His second goal, a powerful low drive from outside the box just 11 minutes later, highlighted the clinical efficiency that has made him one of the most feared attackers in world football. These performances moved him level with France’s Kylian Mbappe and Argentina’s Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings with seven goals.

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin praised the winning goal on BBC Radio 5 Live, stating, "You don't see any other player doing that. There was not a chance there. There wasn't a half chance, quarter chance. Nothing." Meanwhile, former England striker Ian Wright noted on ITV that critics often focus on how many touches Haaland has, but added, "He didn't have to have a lot of touches." His impact proved decisive in sealing a historic win over the South American giants.

Norway, competing at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, now stands just three wins away from an unlikely world title. Their next opponents are either England or co-hosts Mexico. With Haaland in their ranks, the team believes anything is possible. Wayne Rooney commented on BBC One that Haaland "has given the whole country belief that they can go really far in this competition."

Haaland’s international record is already impressive, featuring a five-goal haul against Moldova and several other hat-tricks. Former England defender Gary Neville told ITV, "Haaland is a massive character, a personality." He noted that questions about whether Haaland could perform on the world stage have now been answered. The striker has delivered on the biggest stage with seven goals in four games during this tournament.