Norway fell 2-1 to England in the quarterfinals in Miami, ending a run that featured a 2-1 Round of 32 win over Ivory Coast and a 2-1 Round of 16 victory against Brazil. Erling Haaland scored seven goals, matching Grzegorz Lato's record for most goals by a debutante, and netted the decisive strike against Ivory Coast and both goals versus Brazil. Coach Stale Solbakken praised Haaland as "the greatest goal scorer in the world" after the Brazil win, noting his humility and humor set him apart from other global stars.

Jude Bellingham's two goals for England proved the difference, and a lingering controversy over the first goal involving an aerial camera added drama to the match. Off the pitch, Haaland's popularity exploded: his YouTube channel jumped from 2 million to over 3 million subscribers in two weeks, and a behind‑the‑scenes documentary rose from 2.3 million to 8 million viewers within three days.

The Norwegian squad's "Viking Row" branding resonated with fans worldwide, from a Times Square display to a Dallas airport salute. While the team returns to Oslo to a hero's welcome, the tournament cemented Haaland's status as a global icon and set expectations for his impact in the upcoming club season with Manchester City.