Andreas Schjelderup, winger for Benfica, was instrumental in Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, coming on at halftime and providing two assists for Haaland. At the end of the match, the Benfica player praised Haaland. “Haaland is a monster,” Schjelderup stated to reporters, expressing his admiration for the Manchester City forward. “We’re talking about the best striker in the world. Just pass him the ball without thinking twice, and he scores. I’m happy that he is Norwegian and plays for us. With him, we have a player capable of deciding any game. All the credit goes to Erling.” It should be noted that Schjelderup and Oscar Bobb came on at halftime to replace starters Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth. The Benfica player was thrilled to have been an important part of the Vikings’ advancement to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. “I’m ready whenever you need me, and it was fantastic to contribute. It’s an incredible feeling to be in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. We are very happy and looking forward to the next game,” he declared. This victory against Brazil is considered one of the greatest moments in Norwegian football history, surpassing the famous 2-1 win over the same team in the 1998 World Cup. “My parents were at that game in France. What a feeling to be part of this. It’s a dream come true,” Schjelderup confessed, becoming emotional upon meeting his family after the match. “They mean absolutely everything to me. They have supported me my whole life, no matter what. It was fantastic to see them in the stands. I cried too,” he admitted. When asked about Norway’s ambitions in the tournament, Schjelderup did not hide that the team is aiming high: “When you beat Brazil in such an important game, you start to think big. But for now, we are focused on the next game in Miami. To everyone back home, I hope you enjoy the celebration. This has united the Norwegian people. We will also enjoy it,” he concluded. Stale Solbakken explained what he intended with the substitutions of Schjelderup and Oscar Bobb. “We wanted to work on our attacking plays for as long as possible and with maximum patience. Andreas and Oscar are very secure with the ball in those situations, while Nusa and Sorloth often take a few more risks. We wanted to maintain offensive pressure, waiting for the right opportunity and pass to decide the match that way,” said the Norwegian coach.
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