‘France will probably beat us’: Haaland cools Norway’s World Cup hype ahead of Mbappe game

Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe Erling Haaland has fired Norway into the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, but the forward is not getting carried away. After scoring twice in Norway’s 3-2 win over Senegal on Tuesday, Haaland said the team should enjoy the moment before talking about winning the tournament.The Manchester City striker now has four goals at the World Cup, level with France’s Kylian Mbappe and one behind Lionel Messi. Norway’s win also puts them on six points in Group I along with France, with the two teams meeting on Friday to decide the group winner.When asked about facing France, Haaland responded with a dose of realism.“I don’t care, we’re done. They’ll probably beat us and go on and win the whole tournament.”Norway reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in their first appearance at the tournament since 1998. Haaland, who has now scored 59 goals in 52 international matches, said the achievement should be applauded.Asked if this could become his World Cup, he said:“It depends what you mean by that. To qualify for the first time in 28 years and get through the group stage, yes, I’d say.”“Winning the World Cup, definitely not. I think let’s be a bit realistic here and be happy, every Norwegian on the planet today.”Norway’s progress sparked celebrations among supporters. Before the match, fans gathered in Times Square and performed the now-famous Viking Row celebration, which has become a symbol of Norway’s World Cup campaign. After the win, the players joined in the celebrations on the pitch.Speaking about the moment, Haaland said: “It was crazy.”“Martin (Odegaard) and I talked about it a bit before the game, about whether we should join if everything went? the way it went and it went, so quite a special moment I would say for all of Norway.”The 25-year-old compared the feeling to one of the greatest moments of his career.“I think it’s up there with the biggest nights I’ve had? in my entire life. I feel a little bit the same way I had? after the (2023) Champions League final (win). It’s incredibly huge. I’m incredibly proud and all that.”With Norway already through to the knockout stages, attention now turns to their final group game against France, which will decide who will finish in Group I.