Erling Haaland Shines as Messi Sets World Cup Scoring Record
A Night of Soccer Stars
East Rutherford: Lionel Messi made headlines by scoring two goals, setting a new World Cup record, while Kylian Mbappe also showcased his talent, keeping the competition fierce. Erling Haaland, on the other hand, delivered an impressive performance, netting two goals for Norway in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Senegal on Monday night.
Haaland's goals came shortly after halftime, compensating for a missed opportunity just before the break when he hit the post and was denied on a header.
His remarkable display followed Messi's and Mbappe's earlier achievements, with both players also scoring twice for their respective teams.
Teammate Kristian Thorstvedt praised Haaland as a player who thrives in crucial moments.
As he approaches his 26th birthday, Haaland is proving he can compete with seasoned stars, despite being part of a team with less historical success.
Coach Stale Solbakken expressed his admiration, stating, "He is the best striker. He plays for Norway, not for France or Argentina."
Together, Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland have amassed 13 goals in the tournament, with Messi leading with five, followed by Mbappe and Haaland with four each, all vying for the Golden Boot.
Solbakken acknowledged the advantage of playing for teams like France and Argentina but assured that they would support Haaland in upcoming matches.
Messi recently became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals after Argentina's victory over Austria in Arlington, Texas.
Mbappe is now at 16 goals, tying with former record holder Miroslav Klose after France's win against Iraq in Philadelphia.
In his first World Cup, Haaland has scored four goals, a remarkable feat considering Norway's last qualification was in 1998, two years before his birth.
Haaland expressed pride in being part of something significant for Norway, stating, "We’re making history."
The towering Manchester City striker has scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches for Norway, totaling 24 goals during this streak. His last match without a goal for Norway was on October 13, 2024.
Solbakken remarked on Haaland's exceptional form, saying, "I’m very happy for him that he can score on the biggest stage."
Despite having the fewest touches in the first half, Haaland's determination shone through as he adapted to the challenging conditions.
He scored his first goal during a fast break and followed it up with a second, celebrating with fans who chanted, "Nor-ge! Nor-ge!" and performed their iconic Viking rowing celebration.
When asked about his scoring prowess, Haaland humbly stated, "I don’t know. It’s my specialty to score goals. I’m just really good at it and quite lucky."