For a nation of just 5.6 million, Norway boasts an impressive record of competitive accomplishments. From dominating the Winter Olympics to a formidable women’s handball team, and the notable success of the Ingebrigtsen brothers in athletics, Norway has also produced the greatest chess player in history. While these achievements are celebrated, nothing captivates the nation quite like football, with the 2-1 victory over Brazil in the final group match of the 1998 World Cup standing out as a defining moment.
The iconic words of commentator Arne Scheie, proclaiming “Vi har scoret i Marseille!” (“We have scored in Marseille!”) resonate deeply in the hearts of Norwegians, rivaling the sentiments expressed by the nation’s poets and politicians over the last half-century. Known for his calm demeanor and factual precision, Scheie lost composure as Norway won a late penalty when the score was tied. He mistakenly referred to Kjetil Rekdal as “Kjetil Reknett, of Werder Bremen”—a name that does not exist in any known language.
In a bid to articulate the gravity of the moment, Scheie claimed the impending penalty would be “the most important kick of a ball in the history of the Norwegian football federation” Although a peculiar statement, his emotional outburst successfully captured the significance of the occasion. Rekdal converted the penalty, sending all of Norway into a frenzy, as the sport transcended mere competition and became an act of nation-building.
Numerous documentaries, books, and even an opera have chronicled the victory against Brazil, yet little is mentioned about the subsequent match: a lackluster 1-0 loss to Italy in the round of 16. Norway’s initial golden generation qualified for two World Cups, achieved a FIFA ranking as high as second, and triumphed over teams like England, Italy, the Netherlands, and Brazil, yet they never secured a knockout win in a major tournament. Their exits in both the 1994 and 1998 World Cups left a lingering sense of disappointment. Current players are acutely aware of this history, with three having fathers who played in the 1994 World Cup. Manager Ståle Solbakken, who participated in the defeat to Italy, understands it all too well, reflecting on it in a Netflix documentary released prior to this tournament.
“Historically in tournaments, Norway have played well in qualifying and then performed worse at the World Cup,”
This background is crucial, as outsiders may perceive this squad as merely a collection of talent from top European clubs. They might have anticipated Norway to easily overcome Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire based on the star-studded roster. Observers have witnessed Norwegian fans enthusiastically embracing the “Now we have to see if we can raise our game” in the USA, embodying the joy and excitement surrounding the team. However, the players carry the burden of history, aware that they failed to qualify for any tournament for 28 years. Their beloved team from the 1990s ultimately faltered in both World Cups. Following the victory over Senegal, a spirited Solbakken passionately shouted at the camera of Norway’s in-house media, declaring: “Shut up boys! This is the greatest Norwegian football win of all time, and you can quote me on that.”
After defeating Côte d’Ivoire, he earnestly told his squad, “you are changing not only Norwegian football history, but Norwegian history in general. This is so big. This will never happen again, because we are going to qualify time and time again. Which means these 28 years of hurt, everything that is felt around the country, what I feel right here, what you feel, it will never come back.” Norway’s win over Côte d’Ivoire marked not just a solid performance from a talented team against a formidable opponent; it was the first time a Norwegian squad genuinely fulfilled its promise on the World Cup stage.
The presence of true superstars has been a significant factor. Erling Haaland has emerged as a global sensation, already achieving every accolade at the club level, while Martin Ødegaard leads as a Premier League-winning captain. Their leadership styles are distinct: Ødegaard is articulate and thoughtful, whereas Haaland exhibits insatiable ambition and drive. Both players inspire their teammates in unique ways. However, the triumph against Côte d’Ivoire was a collective effort, with Patrick Berg, who initially lost his starting position, delivering a standout man-of-the-match performance in midfield. Goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, often questioned by critics, made a save worthy of the tournament’s highlight reel at a critical moment. Young talent Antonio Nusa scored a goal that evoked memories of his idol, Neymar.
Haaland, typically not one for exaggeration, stated after the match, “I think this will change Norway for ever,” Solbakken, who has faced personal health challenges, remarked, “If I survive this I will survive anything,” a statement that carries additional weight given his recent health struggles.
In a display of unity, it was Haaland and Ødegaard’s suggestion for the team to engage with fans through the now-renowned Viking Row after winning matches, illustrating the genuine emotional connection between the players and supporters. Whether the victory against Côte d’Ivoire surpasses the 1998 win over Brazil in significance will be debated. Nevertheless, the narrative crafted by football’s cosmic storytellers is commendable. As fate would have it, Norway’s next opponent is Brazil, a matchup destined to unfold.
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