ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 30: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates the win after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Cote D’Ivoire and Norway at Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)

...

Megan Armstrong

By Megan Armstrong

0

Share

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

Erling Haaland makes Norway a dangerous contender at the 2026 FIFA men's World Cup, and Rodrygo knows it.

Norway were level with Ivory Coast in their Round-of-32 match on Tuesday, June 30, when Haaland did what he does best: found the back of the net.

View this post on X

Read More on Sports

Haaland's 86th-minute goal proved to be the winner, as Norway won their first knockout stage match at the World Cup in its history, and Haaland scored his fifth goal at his debut World Cup. The Manchester City star — and three-time English Premier League Golden Boot winner — is only one behind Argentina's Lionel Messi and France's Kylian Mbappe for the Golden Boot lead.

It's highly probable that the only reason Haaland isn't tied with Messi and Mbappe or the outright Golden Boot leader is that Norway opted to sit 10 starters, including Haaland, against France in their group stage finale.

Real Madrid star winger Rodrygo thinks Haaland and Norway should replicate that approach when they meet Brazil in the Round of 16 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 5.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 30: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates the win after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Cote D'Ivoire and Norway at Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)

...

Haaland posted a photo of himself wearing a Viking hat to Instagram, and Rodrygo cracked in the comments, "You've worked so hard... take a break Sunday [grinning and sweating emoji, five Brazil flag emojis]."

Who doesn't love good-natured World Cup banter?

Unfortunately, Rodrygo won't be able to influence the outcome for Brazil. He suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in March, robbing him of the chance to represent Brazil for his second World Cup.

Brazil escaped their Round-of-32 battle against Japan with a last-gasp 2-1 win, thanks to Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time goal. Brazil have won more men's World Cup titles than any nation with five, but they haven't captured it since 2002.

Norway are in their first men's World Cup since 1998. If they can get past Brazil, this Norwegian will have officially made it further than ever before in a men's World Cup.

View 0 Comments

Request Reprint & Licensing

Submit Correction

View Editorial & AI Guidelines