Erling Haaland is officially conquering the world stage, firing Norway into a historic quarter-final clash with England after sinking Brazil. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
For years, Erling Haaland's critics had one familiar refrain. He could score for fun in the Premier League and Uefa Champions League, but until he did it at a major international tournament, there would always be a question mark hanging over his place among football's greatest strikers.
Four matches into his World Cup debut, that argument has all but disappeared.
Haaland's late brace to sink five-time champions Brazil and send Norway into their first World Cup quarter-final was another reminder that the Manchester City striker is as ruthless on football's biggest stage as he is in club football. With seven goals, he sits alongside Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane atop the Golden Boot standings.
The Brazil brace did more than book Norway's place in the quarter-finals. It took Haaland to 62 international goals in just 54 appearances, after he became the fastest player ever to reach the 60-goal mark during the previous match against Ivory Coast.
England will meet Norway in the Fifa World Cup quater-finals after a crazy couple of Round 16 matches on Sunday.
Image: Google Gemini
For a player only now making his World Cup debut, it is another staggering reminder that his goalscoring exploits are not confined to club football.
The comparison with Messi is particularly significant.
Four years ago, the Argentinian captain completed the one achievement that had long eluded him, inspiring his country to World Cup glory. Having already cemented his place among football's all-time greats, Messi arrived in North America as the benchmark once again, and has responded by matching Haaland's seven-goal haul as Argentina chase a successful title defence.
For Haaland, however, this tournament is about more than numbers.
Great World Cup strikers are remembered not simply for how many goals they score, but for the moments they create. Ronaldo Nazário in 2002. Miroslav Klose across four tournaments. Messi carrying Argentina to glory in 2022. Haaland is beginning to build his own catalogue.
His first goal against Brazil, a towering header, shifted the momentum of a quarter-final against one of football's traditional powerhouses. His second extinguished Brazilian hopes and confirmed one of the greatest nights in Norwegian football history.
Yet, this World Cup has also shown that Haaland is no longer carrying Norway alone.
Martin Ødegaard has provided the creativity, goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland has delivered crucial saves, and coach Ståle Solbakken has moulded a disciplined side capable of matching the world's elite. Together, they have given Haaland the platform to do what he does best.
That collective spirit is perhaps best reflected in the now-familiar Viking Row celebration. As Haaland and his teammates mimic rowing a Viking longship to the beat of a drum, they have embraced an identity that has become one of the enduring images of this World Cup.
England now stand between Haaland and another opportunity to enhance his growing legacy, the showdown against Kane just one of the fascinating subplots of what promises to be a fascinating duel.