Haaland enjoying World Cup ride, not stressing France game: 'They'll probably beat us'

Erling Haaland is absolutely loving life.

The superstar striker helped Norway reach the World Cup knockout stage with two more goals in Monday's 3-2 win over Senegal, bringing his tally to four in his first tournament appearance.

The thrilling victory sets up a showdown with France on Friday to decide which team will top the group ahead of the round of 32. But Haaland isn't looking that far ahead.

"I don't care. We are through (to the knockout rounds)," he ​told reporters when asked about the impending clash with France and Kylian Mbappe, according to Reuters. "They'll probably beat us and go on and win the whole tournament."

Norway, making its first World Cup appearance since 1998, was widely tipped as a tournament dark horse. It largely earned that status due to the presence of the Manchester City striker, who now has 59 goals in 52 appearances for his country. Asked about his team's chances of making a deep run, Haaland tried to remain grounded.

"To win the World Cup, absolutely not," he said. "I think let's be a ​little realistic here, and let's be happy, every single Norwegian on the planet today."

For now, he simply wants to enjoy the moment.

That certainly seemed to be the case as Haaland and the Norway squad joined the traveling fans to perform the now-viral "Viking Row" at MetLife Stadium following Monday's win.

"It was crazy," Haaland said. "Martin (Odegaard) and I talked a bit about it before the match, about whether we should join in if everything went the ​way it did. And ​it did, so a ⁠pretty special moment I would say for the whole of Norway."

He added: "I think it is right up there with the biggest nights I have had ​in my entire life. I have a bit of the same feeling ​that I had ⁠after the (2023) Champions League final. It is incredibly huge. I am incredibly proud and all of that."