Norway's national football team achieved a historic milestone by winning its first-ever major World Cup knockout match, defeating Cote d'Ivoire in the round of 32.
The victory sets up a decisive clash against Brazil at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
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According to reports from The Guardian, the win marks a turning point for a nation that had not qualified for a major tournament in 28 years.
Norway's golden generation in the 1990s had failed to win knockout games, making this breakthrough particularly significant.
Manager Stale Solbakken, who played in the 1998 World Cup round of 16 loss to Italy, expressed immense pride in the achievement.
"Shut up boys!
This is the greatest Norwegian football win of all time, and you can quote me on that," Solbakken said.
Speaking calmly in the dressing room, Solbakken emphasized the broader historical impact. "You are changing not only Norwegian football history, but Norwegian history in general.
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This is so big. This will never happen again, because we are going to qualify time and time again," he said.
"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."
The squad features Premier League-winning captain Martin Odegaard and striker Erling Haaland, with standout performances from midfielder Patrick Berg, goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, and winger Antonio Nusa.
"I think this will change Norway for ever," Haaland said.
Solbakken, who coaches with a pacemaker after a near-fatal cardiac arrest during his playing career, reflected on the emotional toll.
"If I survive this I will survive anything," he said.
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As reported by Yahoo Sports, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti is preparing his starting lineup for the decisive fixture while managing forced adjustments due to an injury to midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
