East Rutherford, 06 July (H.S.): Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken praised his players' unity, discipline and team spirit after his side defeated five-time world champions Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, securing the country's first-ever place in the quarter-finals.
Norway stunned Brazil with two goals from star striker Erling Haaland. Despite Neymar Jr pulling one back from the penalty spot deep into injury time, Norway held on to record one of the most memorable victories in FIFA World Cup history.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Solbakken said, "This is a fantastic group of players. They enjoy being together, they train exceptionally well, they support one another and stand together in every situation. Our team culture is incredibly strong. We give our players the freedom to express themselves and be who they are. That is our greatest strength, whether we are facing good times or difficult moments."
Norway's "rowing celebration" has become one of the most popular moments of the tournament. Following the victory over Brazil, both the players and supporters once again celebrated by mimicking the rowing motion.
Solbakken said, "I think the whole of Norway is rowing together today. There are celebrations here, and people are celebrating this victory in Oslo and in towns and cities across the country. The rowing celebration has become a symbol of our unity. This has been a memorable summer for Norwegian football fans. To be honest, I believe the supporters are even happier than the coach at this moment."
Norway enjoyed more possession than expected against one of the world's strongest teams, a strategy Solbakken said had been carefully planned before the match.
"We wanted to keep the ball for as long as possible. We knew some Brazilian players are outstanding in their positions, but they do not enjoy chasing the ball continuously. We tried to put them under pressure in exactly that way," he explained.
Norway will face either Mexico or England in the quarter-finals, although Solbakken said he has no preference regarding the opponent.
"It doesn't matter to me who we face next. Whether it is Mexico or England, we will have to produce our best football. I said before this match that defeating a team like Brazil would require our very best performance, and today the team delivered exactly that."
With the historic victory over Brazil, Norway has reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time and will now aim to secure a place in the semi-finals.
