Erling Haaland and a nation’s passion drive Norway’s World Cup return

Norway‘s 1994 and 1998 World Cup teams united the entire country. Oslo’s streets were filled to the brim with fans. Gunnar Halle, a right back on those squads, remembers being escorted through the capital in a horse-drawn carriage after 1994 qualifiers.

It didn’t matter if you weren’t a soccer fan. If you could walk, you were likely there.

The city was even more lively when Norway upset Brazil in groups in 1998 — scenes the country hadn’t seen since it was liberated from Nazi occupation in 1945, Norwegian commentator Kasper Wikestad believes.

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But that feeling has been absent for over a quarter-century. For various reasons — poor coaching decisions, late mistakes, not enough talent — Norway missed the next six World Cups.

Until now. For the first time in 28 years, Norway is back at the World Cup. And it’s not just because the tournament expanded to 48 teams this year; Norway is one of the top squads competing. With an unusually strong offense — led by superstar forward Erling Haaland — and a zone defense that was airtight in qualifiers, it’s primed for a deep run.

After a 4-1 win over Iraq last week, Norway is set for its second group stage match against Senegal at MetLife Stadium on Monday, June 22.

“It was about time,” Halle said. “And especially now with the players we have, Haaland and a lot of players playing in Spain, I think the expectations (are) quite high that we should do well.”

Norway’s success revolves around its offense. Unlike previous years, many of its top players have received significant playing time with their respective clubs, Halle said. Haaland, obviously, starts nearly every game for Manchester City, winger Antonio Nusa made 24 starts for RB Leipzig, and midfielder Martin Ødegaard captained a Premier-League-winning Arsenal squad.

More experience has meant more goals. Norway netted a whopping 37 — 16 from Haaland — in eight qualifying matches, including an 11-1 win over Moldova on Sept. 9. The onslaught continued with Haaland’s brace versus Iraq on June 16.

That’s a reversal from years past when Norway leaned on its defense, said Andreas Stabrun Smith, a Norwegian sports journalist. In the 1990s, its offense was often spurred by counterattacks.

Recently, Norway’s youth programs have focused on offensive creativity more than defensive tactics, per Wikestad. That’s produced a crop of “superstars” they’ve never had before.

“We used to be very strong defensively, but now it’s the other way around,” Stabrun Smith added. “Against good opponents, we have to score two or three goals to beat them because we know we’re gonna concede against opposition like that.”

Of course, the team wouldn’t be what it is without Haaland. Just look at his numbers: 112 goals across four years with Manchester City and 57 goals in 51 international appearances. Haaland has smashed Norway’s all-time scoring record (33), which stood for over 90 years. And he’s only 25.

Stabrun Smith and Wikestad praised his ability to score from anywhere. Haaland just being in the lineup makes opponents drop their backline deeper, former Norwegian professional player Markus Fjørtodt added.

Halle watched Haaland play on Norway’s youth national teams in his mid-teens. It was apparent he had talent and drive, but Halle admitted he didn’t know Haaland would become this good.

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Pretty much everyone agrees — Haaland is Norway’s greatest player ever.

“He’s been our difference maker so many times,” Fjørtodt said. “Just his sheer presence gives us an immediate advantage. What he’s done, there’s no Norwegians for me that are even close.”

“I would almost say the world has seldom seen a player like that,” Wikestad added.

With other teams likely focusing on Haaland, players like Nusa, Ødegaard and striker Alexander Sørloth will get more opportunities. Nusa often works from the left, while Fjørtodt mentioned Sørloth plays a “hybrid role” on the right. Sørloth is a pure striker, but he typically operates to the side to give Haaland more space.

While Haaland provides the scores, Ødegaard often facilitates them. He’s had more assists than goals across his last three years with Arsenal and tallied seven assists in the World Cup qualifiers.

Wikestad remembers predicting a few years ago that Nusa would be a Ballon d’Or candidate at some point in his career, which he still stands by. His knack for performing in the spotlight, per Stabrun Smith, certainly helps.

“He seems to step up every time he puts on a Norway jersey,” Stabrun Smith said of Nusa. “He’s been outstanding, and if he can do something like that (in the World Cup), he could still be a surprise to the football world.”

If anything holds Norway back, Fjørtodt thinks it’ll be its defense. Starting goalie Ørjan Nyland only made five appearances this past season for Sevilla. Left back David Møller Wolfe lost his starting spot with Wolves.

Still, as brilliant as the offense was in qualifiers, Norway’s defense might’ve been even better. It allowed five goals in eight matches, producing four shutouts.

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Norway often employs a zone defense, a similar formation to its 1994 squad and a staple of Norwegian soccer. The unit’s performance could determine Norway’s World Cup prospects.

“We’ll see in the biggest games against the best nations if that still would be an advantage,” Wikestad said. “But in the qualification, I think that has been the key.”

Though there are more experienced teams participating this year, many think Norway can be the tournament’s “dark horse.” Despite being in the “group of death” alongside 2022 runner-up France, African power Senegal and Iraq, many expect Norway to advance to the knockout rounds.

Halle could see a quarterfinals run from there but said the team must be prepared to play in extreme temperatures. He remembers when the players wasted too much energy in practice in 1994. That team often trained with black garbage bags on their bodies to simulate the heat, which didn’t work, Wikestad said.

No matter what happens this year, he believes the squad is as prepared as it can be.

And no matter what happens, the buzz surrounding the team has returned. Oslo was bustling again after Norway qualified; Wiksestad said it felt like the entire city was singing together. Swedish fans laughed at them, saying Norway hadn’t won anything yet.

Norwegians responded by belting a Swedish song in the heart of the city. They didn’t care if they were prematurely celebrating. They were just glad to be back in the World Cup.

“The players are superstars. Everyone wants to be with them, everyone wants to cheer them on,” Fjørtodt said. “After so many years of disillusionment, you have that same feeling of togetherness and enthusiasm that comes with it.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Erling Haaland leads Norway back to first World Cup since 1998