Solbakken to provide Norwegian players with two days rest after comprehensive victory against Iraq

The Norwegian team had to wait 28 years to return to football's biggest stage, but there were few signs of nerves. With their next Group I match not until June 22nd, Solbakken wants his players to use their time well.

"I think it will be good for them not to see me for the next two days," Solbakken told journalists.

"Many players will have visits from their families. They can, of course, train if they want, but if they prefer to play golf, they can do that.

"It is really good to have a break now. It has been very intense, and I think everyone could feel that this was a big occasion and a tough tournament. Being able to relax your brain and body and see your family is a really good thing for them."

Haaland came into the tournament with plenty of responsibility and expectation on his shoulders, but he more than coped with the pressure on his World Cup debut.

"He liked the occasion, he lived up to it. The occasion was not too big for him," said Solbakken.

"I had a good feeling. Before the game, the two last training sessions with him have been very, very good, so I felt quite comfortable that he would do it for us today."

Next for Norway is a meeting with Senegal, who lost 3-1 to France. Solbakken expects a tougher challenge in the two remaining group games and is not listening to those who say that with three points they could probably get out of the group stage.

"There will be two teams that we will meet that are probably more at our level," he said.

"I looked at their match, and Senegal looked really solid during large periods of the first half. So that is what we want to concentrate on."