Ståle Solbakken hailed it as “the greatest day in Norwegian football history” while Erling Haaland described it as one of “I think that all Norwegian citizens are experiencing the night of a lifetime,” One thing is indisputable: Norway has reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time after a well-deserved victory over Brazil.
A late brace from Haaland sealed the match with a final score of 2-1, igniting jubilant celebrations back in Norway. In the early hours, tens of thousands flooded the streets of Oslo, culminating in an impromptu gathering at the royal palace, where fans were warmly greeted by Crown Prince Haakon, who donned a Norway scarf.
Solbakken expressed, “They will probably party for a week or so. Erling was our match-winner but I’m happy that everyone played their game on the greatest night in Norwegian football history. Everyone played their part. “This is a great group. They love being together, they train well, they help each other and protect each other. We have a strong culture and we have an opportunity to let people be themselves and say whatever they want. That’s very important both when things go well and when they don’t.”
He continued, highlighting the team’s spirit.
“I wish I was on those streets; I wish I was involved in it,”
Solbakken’s instinctive decision to make a double substitution at half-time proved pivotal in shifting the dynamics of a tightly contested game. “Everyone has to enjoy themselves. All of Norway has to enjoy themselves. It’s one of the sickest days ever in Norwegian history. You just have to enjoy it, because this is sick.” he noted. “You have to have faith in what you do,”
Neymar scored for Brazil with a penalty deep into stoppage time, while Bruno Guimarães had an earlier penalty saved when the score was still 0-0. Carlo Ancelotti, who took the reins as Brazil’s manager just over a year ago, now faces scrutiny following this tournament exit. As Neymar hinted at his potential retirement from international play, stating, “You have to follow your gut feeling. It could go both ways. It was a chess game.” Ancelotti emphasized the need to integrate a new generation into the Seleção.
“I tried, I tried … Now it’s over,” Ancelotti remarked. “Everyone is profoundly disappointed,”
