Ten years ago, an Indian Under-17 team held Norway scoreless in the first-half in a youth international game. On Sunday, one of the boys in that Norway side, Erling Haaland, led his country into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with a match-winning performance against the mighty Brazil.Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. The striker headed in the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute before adding another before the end of regulation time to send his team through. “Maybe this will write history in Norway,” Haaland said. “Everyone just need to enjoy themselves. This is just an insane day. It’s one of the most insane days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, embrace it and enjoy the moment.”The second goal was Haaland’s seventh of the tournament, drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.Norway are playing in the World Cup for only the fourth time and for the first time since 1998 after missing the previous six editions. Haaland, who turns 26 on July 21, was not even born when Norway last appeared at the tournament. Today, he is the country’s best-known footballer.Following Haaland’s performance, cricket commentator Joy Bhattacharjya recalled his link with Indian football.Bhattacharjya pointed out that in 2016, Haaland played for Norway’s Under-16 team against India’s Under-17 side, which was preparing for the Under-17 World Cup. The game was goalless at half-time before India defender Sanjeev Stalin was sent off. Haaland then scored as Norway went on to win 2-0.The match report from June 19, 2016, is still available on the All India Football Federation website.“After the Indian Colts were reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Sanjeev earned a second yellow card for a rash tackle, Norway took the lead in the 57th minute through Erling Braut Haaland and doubled their lead in the 80th minute when Erik Botheim’s strike found the net,” it stated.“After a goalless first half, Sanjeev was red-carded in the 54th minute and India were reduced to 10 men. The Indian Colts failed to erase their deficit after conceding goals in the 57th and 80th minutes as the full-time scoreline read 2-0 in Norway’s favour.”Several players from that India Under-17 side later represented the senior national team and clubs in the Indian Super League. Haaland, meanwhile, developed into one of the leading players in world football.As Norway prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, Indian football finds itself in a different position. Among FIFA’s 211 member associations, India are ranked 138th.
