Updated

Updated · KERA News · Jul 1

Haaland Marks Norway's 2-1 Win in Dallas as His 5th World Cup Goal Sets Up Brazil Test

Updated

Updated · KERA News · Jul 1

Haaland Marks Norway's 2-1 Win in Dallas as His 5th World Cup Goal Sets Up Brazil Test

Q: With Messi and Mbappé ahead, is the Golden Boot out of reach for Haaland if Norway falls to Brazil?

Yes—if Norway lose to Brazil, Haaland’s Golden Boot chances would be very slim and likely out of his hands. Haaland has 5 goals, while Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are both on 6. If Norway are eliminated in the Round of 16, Haaland’s total would freeze at 5. Messi and Mbappé would still have at least another match to add to their totals, and both are already ahead of him. That means Haaland could only still win if the leaders do not score again and other contenders also fail to pass him. Even that may not be enough, because he is already trailing by one goal. At best, he could hope for others to stay level or be caught by tie-breakers, but with Messi and Mbappé still active, that is an unlikely scenario. The tie-break rules also matter. If players finish level on goals, assists are the first separator, then fewer minutes played. Mbappé reportedly has 6 goals and 2 assists, giving him an extra edge if he finishes tied with anyone on goals. Messi is also ahead of Haaland on goals already. So Haaland is still a real contender only if Norway beat Brazil and give him more matches. If Norway go out on July 5, the Golden Boot would not be mathematically impossible, but it would be highly improbable.

3 articles · Updated · KERA News · Jul 1

Erling Haaland celebrated Norway’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast with a Dallas stop at Wild Bill’s Western Store, posting a photo and TikTok video in a Stetson, cowboy boots and a “Y’all can kiss my Dallas” shirt.
The outing followed Haaland’s decisive goal, his fifth of the tournament, which sent Norway into the Round of 16 and kept him among the World Cup’s top scorers.
Dallas has become part of the tournament’s off-field scene as players and fans passing through North Texas embrace local staples from western wear to barbecue, Tex-Mex and Buc-ee’s.
Norway next faces Brazil on July 5, with the five-time champions ranked No. 5 by FIFA—16 places above Norway—in a far tougher knockout-round test.