Star striker Erling Haaland says Norway's chances against Brazil are 'very slim'

Star striker Erling Haaland says Norway's chances against Brazil are 'very slim'
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After Antonio Nusa had put Norway in front with a stunning first-half strike, and Amad Diallo restored parity with 15 minutes remaining, it was Erling Haaland, Norway's biggest star, who settled the tie in the closing stages of the match. 

Haaland, who is now the tournament's joint-second top scorer with five goals, said that Norway had truly been put to the test by the Ivory Coast but managed to overcome the challenge of an 'excellent' team in a 'very tough' match.

When asked about Norway's chances against Brazil, he was very candid about Norway's chances. "Very slim," he said. But Haaland is still optimistic. "Nobody expected us to get this far. Brazil awaits in the last 16. It will be a fantastic challenge."

Speaking to FIFA after the match, the Manchester City forward was full of emotion and struggled to find the words. "It is history, it feels unbelievable," he said. "We managed to qualify for the first time in 28 years, we managed to go through the group stage, and now we have managed to go through to the next round and meet Brazil in New York."

"It is incredible, so now everything is a bonus. Now we can play with our shoulders down and enjoy it because I do not think we will ever have this feeling again."

Norway has good memories of facing Brazil at the World Cup as they beat them 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup, where Brazil reached the final only to lose to hosts France. 

Captain Martin Odegaard is looking forward to the match.

"We've grown up hearing about Norway-Brazil, and it's been hanging over us. Now we get the opportunity ourselves. It's fantastic. It doesn't get much bigger than Brazil in a World Cup. We're looking forward to it, in football, anything is possible, so we'll see if we can manage to take another step", Odegaard tells NRK.

Norway will face Brazil on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The winners will meet the victors from the Mexico vs. Ecuador and England vs. DR Congo ties in the quarter-finals.