Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time after a 2-1 win over Brazil on Sunday, with Stale Solbakken crediting squad spirit and discipline after his side held on through a tense finish.
Erling Haaland scored both goals as Norway knocked Brazil out of the tournament. Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland also played a key role with a string of important saves before Neymar pulled one back from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.
Solbakken pointed towards the squad culture rather than individual performances after the match.
“This is a great group, they love being together, they train well, they help each other and protect each other. We have a strong culture and we give the opportunity to let people be themselves and say whatever they want, and that’s a very important part of the whole thing, when things go well and when things go not so well.”
Norway’s rowing celebration has followed the side through the tournament and returned after the final whistle, with supporters back home also joining in.
“I think that the whole nation is rowing together, and with that, I mean that we are having a great party here and in Oslo and in all the other big and small cities all the way through Norway.”
“The rowing is in a way a symbol of that, and that we are all together.”
Norway controlled possession for long periods against Brazil, an approach that surprised many before kick-off. Solbakken said his side wanted to force Brazil into long spells without the ball in difficult conditions.
“We just wanted to have as much possession as possible of the ball. They are not all comfortable if we can have long spells with the ball, they have players who are good in their positions, but maybe they don’t like chasing the ball.”
Norway now wait for either England or Mexico in the quarter-finals. Solbakken showed little interest in the identity of their next opponents.
“If it’s Mexico, it’s Mexico, if it’s England, it’s England.”
