Ten years ago, the Indian Under-17 team held Norway to a goalless draw in the first half of a youth international. On Sunday, one of Norway’s young men, Erling Haaland, led his country into the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup with a brilliant performance against the mighty Brazil.Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time. The striker headed in the lead in the 79th minute before adding another before the end of time to send his team through. “Maybe this will make history in Norway,” Haaland said. “Everyone just needs to have fun. It’s just a crazy day. It’s one of the craziest days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, embrace it and enjoy it.”The second goal was Haaland’s seventh of the competition, pulling him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.Norway is playing in the World Cup for the fourth time and for the first time since 1998 after missing out on the previous six editions. Haaland, who turns 26 on July 21, was not even born when Norway last appeared in the tournament. Today, he is the most popular football player in the country.Following Haaland’s performance, cricket commentator Joy Bhattacharjya recalled his link with Indian football.Bhattacharjya also said that in 2016, Haaland played for Norway’s Under-16 team against India’s Under-17 team, which is preparing for the World Under-17 World Cup. The match was goalless at half time when Indian defender Sanjeev Stalin was sent off. Haaland then scored as Norway won 2-0.The match report from June 19, 2016, would still be available on the All India Football Federation website.“After the Indian Colts were reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Sanjeev received a second yellow card for a rash tackle, Norway took the lead in the 57th minute through Erling Braut Haaland and extended their lead in the 80th minute when Erik Bothheim’s strike found the net,” it said.“After a scoreless first half, Sanjeev was shown a red card in the 54th minute and India were reduced to 10. Indian Colts failed to erase their own goalscoring streak in the 57th and 80th minutes as the aggregate score was 2-0 in favor of Norway.”Several players from the Indian Under-17 team later represented the senior team and clubs in the Indian Super League. Meanwhile, Haaland has become one of the leading players in the international game.As Norway prepares for the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, Indian football is in a different place. Among the 211 FIFA member countries, India is ranked 138th.
