When Erling Haaland played against India: The Norway star’s World Cup heroics revive an old memory

Erling Haaland (l) and the Indian U-17 team playing against Norway in 2016 A decade ago, India’s Under-17 team held Norway scoreless in the first half of a youth international. On Sunday, one of the boys from this Norwegian side, Erling Haaland, led his country to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup with a match-winning performance against mighty Brazil.Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. The forward headed home in the 79th minute and added another before the end of regulation time to send his side into the lead.“Maybe it will write the history of Norway,” Haaland said. “Everyone just needs to enjoy themselves. This is just a crazy day. It’s one of the craziest days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, embrace it and enjoy the moment.”The second goal was Haaland’s seventh of the tournament, bringing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.Norway is playing in only the fourth World Cup and first since 1998 after missing out on the previous six editions. Haaland, who turns 26 on July 21, was not yet born when Norway last appeared at the tournament. Today he is the most famous football player in the country.After Haaland’s performance, cricket commentator Joy Bhattacharjya recalled his association with Indian football.Bhattacharjya pointed out that in 2016, Haaland played for Norway’s under-16 team against India’s under-17 team, which was preparing for the U-17 World Cup. The game was goalless at half-time before Indian defender Sanjeev Stalin was sent off. Haaland then scored as Norway won 2-0.The match minutes of 19 June 2016 are still available on the All India Football Federation website.“After the Indian Colts were reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Sanjeev earned a second yellow card for a reckless tackle, Norway took the lead in the 57th minute through Erling Braut Haaland and doubled their lead in the 80th minute when Erik Botheim’s shot found the net,” it said.“After a goalless first half, Sanjeev was shown a red card in the 54th minute and India were reduced to 10 men. The Indian Colts could not erase their deficit after conceding goals in the 57th and 80th minutes when the score read 2-0 to Norway at full time.”Several players from this India Under-17 side later represented the senior national team and clubs in the Indian Super League. Meanwhile, Haaland has developed into one of the leading players in world football.As Norway prepares for the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Indian football finds itself in a different position. Among FIFA’s 211 member associations, India is ranked 138th.