Norway prioritised the bigger picture
Norway may have ended the World Cup group stage with a heavy 4-1 defeat to France, but the result did little to dampen the mood in the Scandinavian camp after securing a place in the knockout rounds for the first time in almost three decades.
Ståle Solbakken’s side finished second in Group I with six points after opening their campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Iraq before edging Senegal 3-2 in a thrilling contest that sealed qualification with a match to spare.
Those back-to-back victories allowed Norway the luxury of rotating heavily for their final group fixture against France. Key players, including Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, were left out of the starting XI as Solbakken chose to protect his squad ahead of the knockout phase.
France capitalised to claim a convincing 4-1 win and top the group, but Norway’s earlier performances ensured they progressed as runners-up.
Solbakken: “I have no regrets”
The decision to leave Haaland on the bench inevitably attracted attention given the striker’s remarkable form during the tournament.
However, Solbakken was adamant that protecting his star forward was the correct call.
“It would have made no sense to play [Haaland] and risk him getting an injury,” said Solbakken. “I have no regrets. I stand 100% behind the decision I made.”
With a place in the last 32 already guaranteed, Norway’s coaching staff opted to prioritise freshness over chasing top spot in the group, a strategy they hope will pay dividends when the knockout rounds begin.
AdvertisementHaaland chasing the Golden Boot
Haaland is expected to return to the starting line-up when Norway face Ivory Coast in the round of 32, and the Manchester City striker arrives as one of the tournament’s standout performers.
The 25-year-old has scored four goals in just two World Cup appearances, netting twice against both Iraq and Senegal before being rested for the meeting with France.
His efficiency has been particularly striking. All 10 of his attempts at the tournament have been first-time finishes, with seven hitting the target. Despite touching the ball only 42 times across those two matches, Haaland has averaged a goal every 10.5 touches and has now scored in each of his last 12 competitive appearances for Norway.
Asked to explain his remarkable scoring record, the striker offered a characteristically understated response.
“I’m just really good at scoring goals. I don’t know what I’m doing, but that’s just how it is.”
Ivory Coast next for Norway
Norway now turn their attention to Tuesday’s last-32 meeting with Ivory Coast, knowing they will need to raise their level after the defeat to France but also encouraged by the football they produced earlier in the tournament.
With Haaland expected to return alongside a refreshed starting XI, Solbakken will hope his gamble against France proves worthwhile as Norway look to continue an already memorable World Cup campaign. Haaland, meanwhile, has another objective of his own: adding to his tally and keeping pace in the race for the Golden Boot.
Read our preview here: Ivory Coast vs Norway