SOLBAKKEN BACKS HAALAND FOR WORLD CUP GOLDEN BOOT.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken has backed Erling Haaland to challenge for the
World Cup Golden Boot after the striker scored twice in a 3-2 win over Senegal to
send his country into the Round of 32.

Haaland struck twice in the second half, taking his tournament tally to four goals in
two matches, although Solbakken joked that the prolific forward could have had even
more.

“Today he did miss an open goal, and he could even have scored four,” Solbakken
said with a smile.

The Norway boss was quick to praise his star striker, highlighting the difficulty of
maintaining such numbers while playing for Norway rather than one of the
tournament favourites.

“He is the best striker. He is not playing for France or Argentina; he scores for
Norway,” Solbakken said. “He’s scored four goals now, two braces on the biggest
stage.”

Norway sits second in Group I on six points, level with France, ahead of a decisive
meeting between the two nations on Friday.

Solbakken said his side would do everything possible to help Haaland continue his
scoring run.

“It’s easier to win the Golden Boot when you play for France and Argentina, but we’ll
try to give Erling more games and more help in the next games,” he said. “He’s on
fire, and I’m very happy for him.”