Ibrahimović compares Haaland's Norway to Sweden 1994 after stunning Brazil at World Cup

Erling Haaland scored twice to send Norway past Brazil in the World Cup Round of 16, taking his tournament tally to seven goals and keeping alive what would be the most remarkable run in Norwegian football history.

The result drew an immediate reaction from Fox Sports soccer analyst and Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, who reached back three decades for his frame of reference.

“When the lion is hungry, he eats,” Ibrahimović said. “This Norway reminds me of Sweden in World Cup 1994. Let’s see if they can reach as far as Sweden did. Sweden came in third place, but the story is a little bit similar and it’s beautiful to see.”

Norway’s progress is genuinely historic. The country’s men’s team last appeared at a World Cup in 1998, when it reached the Round of 16 before losing to Italy. Reaching the quarterfinals marks the furthest the nation has ever advanced in the tournament.

Haaland has been the engine of that progress, maintaining a goal-a-game streak throughout the competition and placing himself at the top of the Golden Boot standings alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé.

Ibrahimović was unambiguous in his admiration for the Manchester City striker, whose performances have reshaped international perceptions of Norwegian football.

“Now the Vikings are through to the next round, and we’re enjoying Haaland,” Ibrahimović said. “I said it before the game: he’s a player to watch. Will he go a game without a goal? Not yet.”

Norway will face the winner of the Mexico versus England match in the quarterfinals, with Haaland’s form giving them every reason to believe the run is far from over.