Norway's World Cup Journey: Haaland's Brilliance and Team Spirit

Erling Haaland saves his best content for Snapchat. Norway’s No 9, fresh off another decisive double to dispatch Brazil from the World Cup, posted clips overnight of what looked like a party on the team bus. Haaland was delirious, staggering around in the aisle, singing along to a largely forgotten summer tune by a French DJ called Kungs. “We are never going home,” runs the chorus.

Norway will go home at some point, maybe even on Saturday when they play England in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami. But there can be no doubt that the country, the team, the supporters and their superstar have been making the most of their time in the US. From the longboat rowing ceremony, to the accumulation of cowboy gear (T-shirt: “Y’all can kiss my Dallas”), to Haaland’s performative taking-it-all-in pose – hands on hips, eyes raised to the horizon, bemused smile – they’ve been loving every minute of it.

Listen to the coaches at this World Cup, especially as they psych up their teams for a fixture, and you realise that every one looks to create a narrative about destiny. For the USA it’s been “why not US?”, a call to believe in their potential. For the French it’s about the power of the team (perhaps as a counter to a history of individualism). For the English the message is increasingly one of resolve in the face of adversity. The list goes on, but Norway are marked out by their determination to keep a smile on their faces – and there’s no doubt it’s catching.

That’s not to say Norway are unserious on the pitch: quite the opposite, as Carlo Ancelotti’s disjointed Brazil found out. Much of Norway’s data is middle of the road at this tournament, but what they do they do well: 20th for average possession, 14th for touches in the opposition box, 38th from 48 teams in terms of interceptions. But they are fourth for big chances created and fifth in the table when it comes to expected goals (xG). They are organised, focused and have a clear style of play: an approach that exists almost purely to serve Haaland.

Norway also have Ståle Solbakken, a Norwegian who understands fully the national identity, but who also happens to be a top-level coach with experience of confounding expectations in the Champions League during his time at FC Copenhagen. In the Brazil game, Solbakken excelled. His first-half selection successfully contained any Brazilian threat by dominating the ball. At half-time he sought to intensify his side’s attacking threat by switching both of his wingers for players, as he put it, “more comfortable playing in small areas”, with Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup replacing Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa.

The Norwegian aim was to find a different way to utilise their main weapon, to take more time over crafting opportunities for Haaland. The opening goal, a bullet header, was made possible by an excellent dribble and cross from Schjelderup. But he was afforded extra space because he had held on to the ball long enough for David Møller Wolfe to make an underlapping run from left-back. That was the time and space necessary to create another one of those big chances, an opportunity which Haaland seized, while dominating Gabriel Magalhães in the process.

Disrupting the routes to the Viking wide men will surely be a key focus for England next weekend, although the temperatures in Miami – almost certain to be over 30C (86F) – will limit the extent to which the match resembles a Premier League encounter. England will not need to be told about the Haaland threat, and will be familiar with much of the rest of the Norwegian team too. They will also feel liberated after their Azteca achievement. But Norway will be playing without fear having already exceeded expectations, and they will do so wearing a grin.

One final statistic shows us something quite telling about Haaland and this Norway side. Out of 48 teams they rank third in terms of big chances missed. That’s something you can only achieve by creating big chances, but it also reflects the fact that Haaland is mortal. He will usually have a couple of sighters per match and, as was notable in his recent club season with Manchester City, he will also miss chances easier than the ones he eventually takes. He is mortal, but he is redoubtable. Regardless of the outcome, his attitude and approach will remain consistent, zen-like. Haaland will stay humble until the last knockings of this tournament and, just like in the aftermath of victory on Sunday, he’ll be beating his own drum.