Latest Sports Stories

Football News

Surely nobody expected anything different. Erling Haaland arrival on the biggest football stage of all involved a match-defining performance. Kylian Mbappé had laid down a marker with two goals in France’s win over Senegal. Haaland responded in kind, courtesy of a first-half double of his own. The Manchester City striker’s quest for the Golden Boot depends on Norway enjoying a decent run in the event. Their hopes for that extended stay are so hugely reliant on Haaland. Theirs is a powerful combination. The name on the back of the shirt is different for club versus country – Haaland becomes Braut Haaland – yet the output is identically ruthless. This is a 25-year-old you simply cannot take your eyes off. Iraq did that twice and suffered as a consequence.The team who had waited 28 years for a World Cup return saw off the one who had not participated for 40. Iraq emerge with great credit from a match where the more than 30 world ranking places between the sides was not particularly obvious. Norway will need to improve, especially in the defensive third, where they looked occasionally shaky. Mbappé will have taken note, with France to face Norway in the final game of this section. Yet this was Haaland’s day. Martin Ødegaard was less visible than his fellow A-lister, albeit the Arsenal man created his country’s third goal. The captain was substituted shortly afterwards, as if to save him for sterner tests.Even in the final seconds of stoppage time, Haaland’s work was not done. His looping header from a Kristoffer Ajer cross made Aymen Hussein panic sufficiently under pressure from Kristian Thorstvedt to bundle the ball into his own net. Norway’s win had glass applied.It took a little over two minutes for it to become apparent what everybody bar a small band of Iraqis had come to see. Antonio Nusa played a glorious high pass ahead of the marauding Haaland. More than 60,000 people gasped. Uncharacteristically, the No 9 was unable to get the ball properly under control, but the ripples of excitement were obvious. Four minutes later, Haaland left Zaid Tahseen for dust before being unable to pick out Alexander Sørloth for what would have been a tap-in. Iraq responded through Ali al-Hamadi, who scooped a decent chance over the bar.Norway are a team who have split opinion before this tournament. Underrated or overrated? Both views have been widely articulated. The star appeal of Haaland and Ødegaard sets them apart – and is hugely impressive for a nation of fewer than 6 million people – but there is also a clear depth of talent. Nusa was particularly lively here. Oscar Bobb, who would walk into decent international teams, was named among Norway’s substitutes. This is rightly, then, portrayed as a golden generation of Norwegian footballers. With that comes expectation and pressure, especially against opposition as underwhelming as Iraq. The journey of Iraq to reach the World Cup, both in respect of playing more qualifying games than any other nation and logistical challenges imposed by the Middle East war, is worthy of huge credit. Nonetheless, it will be a shock if they do not finish bottom of Group I.The record books will show that Haaland’s moment, inevitably the first of many on this stage, arrived in the 29th minute. Nusa, who was bamboozling Iraq with his every touch, fed David Møller Wolfe. Haaland beat a path to the back post, from there he converted Møller Wolfe’s cross from all of two yards out. Cometh the hour. Haaland’s statistics remain absurd: this was his 11th goal in the same number of recent competitive outings for Norway. The record was to become even better.What happened next was not in the script. Iraq became the latest underdogs to provide tremors in this World Cup. Not only was their equaliser of great quality, it served as the finest moment in the country’s brief World Cup history. Back in 1986 Iraq scored only once, in the 2-1 loss to Belgium. This one was a cracker. Ali Jassim found Amir al-Ammari, who stood up a cross. Hussein was never the favourite to win the ball but outjumped a clutch of Norway defenders to plant a magnificent header past the diving Ørjan Håskjold Nyland. The scale of euphoria perfectly depicted the significance of the goal.Haaland is prolific enough without opposition players teeing him up. Iraq could only hold on to parity for barely three minutes, the consequence of a crazy act of self-harm. For reasons known to himself, Jalal Hassan paused rather than rushing to boot a back-pass clear. Haaland spotted the goalkeeper’s uncertainty, weird as it was for a player who has amassed more than 100 caps. Haaland’s shot rebounded from the goalkeeper then back from himself to restore Norway’s lead.Iraq could count themselves unfortunate to be behind at the break. Møller Wolfe’s magnificent block denied Ibrahim Bayesh. In the final act of the half, Akam Hashem’s half-volley dipped just inches over Nyland’s bar.The second period quickly lapsed into the instantly forgettable category. Hussein Ali could not keep a back-post volley low enough to trouble Nyland. Haaland could never be described as peripheral but Iraq could take heart from the fact Norway’s phenomenon had no chances between half-time and the hydration break.Leeway for Norway was provided by a substitute. Leo Østigård leapt highest to meet Ødegaard’s corner, with Iraq not unreasonably questioning the level of grappling in the vicinity of the scorer.Hassan saved from Haaland, denying the striker a hat-trick and the usurping of Mbappé. This time, at least. Haaland is up and running.

Football News

Hello all, and I hope you’re all enjoying the debate over the no-call in the France-Senegal match (unanimous view in the referees’ message board I frequent: correct no-call) and also the goal that followed.Follow along with Daniel Harris, and I’ll be back with a proper preamble when that one has ended.

Football News

With the World Cup expanding to a massive 104 matches, navigating the "morass of endless football" can feel a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, the Guardian’s chief sports writer, Barney Ronay, has done the heavy lifting. He breaks down the group stage fixtures you absolutely cannot miss - from historic David v Goliath battles to high-stakes political showdowns. Continue reading...

Football News

Norway coach Solbakken backs striker to make impact‘He’s played better and better in training,’ 58-year-old saysThe venue where one footballing great’s World Cup journey ended will witness the beginning for another. Little did anybody know at the time that Diego Maradona’s appearance for Argentina against Nigeria in 1994 would be his last on football’s biggest stage. It was then the Foxboro Stadium. Fast forward 32 years. Same place, different name. At the Boston Stadium, Erling Haaland will play in the World Cup for the first time as Norway face Iraq on Tuesday.Careers can be defined by this tournament. It is a reference point, for example, that George Best never featured in one. “I think he is the world’s best goalscorer,” said the Norway head coach, Ståle Solbakken. “He is physically fit. I think he has gradually played better and better in training.“He is where he wants to be and hopefully the team can give him the service he needs to get goals. If you give Erling chances, he has a tendency to score,” Solbakken, who does a decent line in understatement, added.The 58-year-old gave a short shrift to speculation regarding Real Madrid trying to sign Haaland. “We haven’t talked about it at all,” he said. “It doesn’t interest me and I haven’t heard anything about it.”Half a mile from the stadium, the global media representation as Norway completed Monday’s training session told a story. Tore André Flo was regarded as an formidable international striker until Haaland burst on to the scene, smashing all records before him. The amiable Flo was smart enough to talk around a question from a member of the French media over who is the better striker, Haaland or Kylian Mbappé.Flo did, however, assert this is the most talented batch of Norwegian players in history. “I think so, yes,” said the former Chelsea player. “If you look at their abilities with the ball, where they play, we have the top scorer in the Premier League and the captain of the team that won the Premier League. So there are some big superstars in this team. There are now more than two. There are lots of players who can positively decide a result. There are threats on the wings, centrally, the opportunities can come from anywhere. Offensively they are very strong.“That applies a bit of pressure but at the same time it is 28 years since we have been here so they have already achieved something that the Norwegian people are happy about. Yes, there is some pressure but there are a lot of other teams with more pressure than Norway.”Flo shrugged off any sense Haaland could wilt under the weight of expectation. “Every year he is going to a new level,” he said. “He has gone from smaller clubs to bigger and huge clubs. He has continued to do well so it doesn’t seem to affect him. I expect he will just keep on going.”It would be incorrect to regard Martin Ødegaard as a bit-part player in this scene. The Arsenal midfielder is crucial to Norwegian hopes. And, indeed, to chance creation for Haaland. “I am very happy those players are Norwegian,” the Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer says. “It is a huge advantage for us to have two players who are among the best in the world. They come here with a lot of confidence and hopefully they can produce the goals and assists we need. They will always get the most attention but I feel like focus has shifted towards the team. We are humble but very confident.”It is only natural to ponder how the extraordinary Haaland – who averages more than a goal per game at international level – will perform at a World Cup. Iraq provide a favourable start in his quest for the Golden Boot. Senegal and France should offer sterner tests.Solbakken believes he “won’t have to say a lot” to incentivise his team and sought to defuse last week’s row with Scotland, after the cancellation of a training game triggered fury in the Norway camp. “I am finished with that,” Solbakken added. “Now for me it is good luck to Scotland. I have always supported Scotland as a big Liverpool fan; Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish, Steve Nicol. I didn’t like what happened there but that has been over for a long time now. No hard feelings.”Haaland’s World Cup buildup has involved golf with childhood friends in Marbella and taking in game five of the Stanley Cup final during Norway’s training camp in North Carolina. The Manchester City man has confidently predicted his country will get through the group stage. If that happens he would upstage his father.Alf-Inge Haaland was part of the Norway squad which finished bottom of their group when the tournament was held in the US in 1994. In a documentary released on his YouTube channel this week, Erling tries on Alf-Inge’s strip from that tournament. “‘Haaland 18?’” laughs Erling. “Too high a number, that.” His sense of humour is dry. In the same video, he reads out messages written on City strips from the departing Bernardo Silva and John Stones. “I needed you for the Champions League,” wrote Silva. Haaland nodded. “It’s true they couldn’t win the Champions League until I arrived.”That quest for City, Silva and Haaland ended in 2023. In Massachusetts, another one will take flight. Norway’s dreams depend on Haaland. The 25-year-old’s already exalted position in this game will be elevated even further if he seizes the moment.

Football News

Ståle Solbakken’s fast, flexible side are far from the no-frills unit that last made the World Cup but new challenges awaitIf Norway’s highly fancied generation need a warning from history they need only look back 32 years and study the lessons from another searing, suspenseful American summer. They had raced through qualifying at England’s expense to reach their first World Cup since 1938; their top players were starting to make it in the Premier League and through the euphoria shone a confidence that a place in the knockout stage, at least, was there to be seized.“When we got there we didn’t manage to even get close to the quality of play we had produced in qualification,” remembers Lars Bohinen, one of the silkier elements in a side that, under Egil Olsen, became renowned for an uncompromising and no-frills approach. “That’s the biggest disappointment when I talk now to my old teammates. We never got near to performing at the level we needed.”In fact Norway were a shade unfortunate. Planted in a strength-sapping group alongside Mexico, Republic of Ireland and Italy, they finished fourth despite the teams finishing level on points and goal difference. Their failure came in attack; Olsen’s side were eliminated because they only scored once, beating Mexico before ultimately running aground in a famously sweltering goalless draw against Jack Charlton’s team at Giants Stadium.This year’s Group I does not look much easier. But the dynamic of Norwegian football is different now; the not entirely inaccurate picture of burly Vikings replaced by elite, technically supreme talents in the moulds of Martin Ødegaard and Antonio Nusa. There is an Erling Haaland-shaped spearhead to convert chances that flow more frequently in Ståle Solbakken’s fast, flexible setup.“Back then we played much more direct, physical football,” Bohinen says. “Now we can control the game with the ball and that’s a big difference.“The players’ technical level has increased and so has the speed. It’s a result of many years professionalising the academies at Norwegian clubs. They have better coaches, better infrastructure, better pitches, more possibilities for more people.”Artificial turf, in place from the remotest Arctic Circle locations down to the Oslo suburbs, means the harshest conditions can be surmounted. The class of 1994 did not enjoy that luxury although Bohinen points out that their qualifying campaign, in which England were stunningly dispatched with in a 2-0 win at Ullevaal, was not simply a route one exhibition. He feels they reverted more to the long ball once they reached the World Cup, where the “Flo Pass” – a crossfield ball generally aimed from the left-back Stig Inge Bjørnebye to the giant centre-forward Jostein Flo, who would pull out to the right – earned renown.“We had that pass going left to right,” Bohinen says. “Then we had to pick up the second balls from those duels. From then we had to try to get close to goal as soon as possible. That was the whole aim really: get close to goal quickly. And in the heat of the States, it was too much.”There were a handful of roses among the thorns, including Bohinen, a classy midfielder well remembered for his spells at Nottingham Forest, Blackburn and Derby. “It was easier to stand out because there were not so many who had those qualities at the time,” he says. Even if the ball was frequently sent over his head, he still scored 10 times for the national team. “But now we have a lot of players, some of them really good dribblers, who have a strong technical base and make very few mistakes on that front. It’s a change for the better.”But if Norway’s ball players can hold their own against France, Senegal and Tuesday’s opponents Iraq, an unintentional corollary may be a less aggressive defensive posture. They only conceded five times in a perfect qualifying campaign but were not seriously tested, a disappointing Italy their closest rivals. Bohinen believes the focus on creating a silkier Norwegian footballer has meant centre-backs with the ruggedness of Erland Johnsen or Henning Berg have become unfashionable.“We have a fantastic attacking force but we don’t produce defenders any more, everyone wants to be ball players,” he says. “It’s reflected in the national team because that’s our weakest link. We’ve created a lot of offensive, technical players but now we may be paying a price for that.”Kylian Mbappé will be among those hoping to discover Bohinen is correct. But Norway appear far better prepared for setbacks than in 1994, when the intensity of their approach backfired. “What we all agree on is that we trained too hard,” Bohinen says. “The competition for places was so big and we trained too long in the heat, as if it wasn’t for a tournament but for one game. We didn’t have any energy left when we played. We also spent hours going to the embassy and standing around, meeting the ambassadors and people from different industries. It took too much energy and focus away from what’s important.”Those mistakes are unlikely to recur in Greensboro, where Solbakken has been tuning them up from the sanctuary of the local University of North Carolina campus. Solbakken took aim last week at the political problems that clouded the tournament’s buildup but controversies within his own camp have been nonexistent. Perhaps the dance moves Haaland exhibited during a training session last Thursday reflected a cooler, calmer, slicker Norway who feel more comfortable in their modern skin.“The euphoria felt bigger when we qualified in ’94,” Bohinen says. “We had been complete outsiders. Now there’s a little bit more expectation.” Soon Norway will find out if their drastically revamped 2026 model is capable of handling it.