Erling Haaland assesses Norway's chances against Brazil at World Cup: 'Nobody expected us to get this far'

Before the World Cup began, Norway were tipped arsenic imaginable acheronian horses, and it is just to accidental they person lived up to that billing. On Tuesday, the Scandinavians beat Ivory Coast 2-1 successful Dallas to beforehand to the past 16, wherever they volition look Brazil.

After Antonio Nusa had opened the scoring with a stunning first-half onslaught and Amad Diallo levelled with 15 minutes remaining, it was Erling Haaland, Norway's biggest star, who emerged to settee the necktie successful the closing stages.

The striker, the tournament's joint-second apical scorer with 5 goals, highlighted that his broadside had managed to flooded the situation of an 'excellent' squad successful a 'very tough' match.

When asked astir Norway's chances against Brazil, helium was typically candid. 'Very slim,' helium said. But helium was not without optimism. 'Nobody expected america to get this far. Brazil awaits successful the past 16. It volition beryllium a fantastic challenge.'

Haaland believes the World Cup is transforming Norway

Norway and their supporters person been 1 of the stories of this World Cup. Whether successful the stands oregon connected the streets of the United States, fans person performed the synchronised Viking Row, reinforcing their Norse heritage. The players person adopted the solemnisation too, performing it successful beforehand of supporters aft each match.

It is simply a enactment to people lone Norway's 4th World Cup appearance, their archetypal successful the 21st century, having past competed astatine the tourney successful 1998. 'It has been an bonzer travel and it is simply a privilege to beryllium portion of it,' Haaland said.

'It is unthinkable to spot the fans with tears successful their eyes and to realise that the full of Norway is with us. I consciousness this volition alteration our state forever. There is simply a precise peculiar consciousness of unity astir this team. It is hard to explain, but you consciousness that we are each connected successful the aforesaid way.'

Speaking to FIFA aft the match, the Manchester City guardant struggled to incorporate his emotion. 'It is history, it feels unbelievable,' helium said. 'We managed to suffice for the archetypal clip successful 28 years, we managed to spell done the radical signifier and present we person managed to spell done to the adjacent circular and conscionable Brazil successful New York.

It is incredible, truthful present everything is simply a bonus. Now we tin play with our shoulders down and conscionable bask it due to the fact that I bash not deliberation we volition ever person this feeling again.'

Norway's aureate procreation oculus historical World Cup run

In the past 16, Norway person matched their best-ever World Cup campaigns, successful 1938 and 1998. Boasting arguably the strongest procreation successful their history, led by Haaland alongside Martin Odegaard, Nusa and different standout performers from Europe's apical leagues, they volition look to marque past by overcoming the five-time satellite champions.

Norway look Brazil connected Sunday astatine MetLife Stadium successful New Jersey.. The winners volition conscionable the victors from the Mexico vs. Ecuador and England vs. DR Congo ties successful the quarter-finals.