Norway's opening match in the tournament, a 4-1 victory against Iraq, marked an unprecedented moment in football history. For the first time, three players from the same national team were part of the squad 32 years after their respective fathers competed in the same championship.
In 1994, Erik Thorstvedt, Alf-Inge Haaland, and Goran Sorloth were part of the Norwegian squad, which was participating in its first World Cup since 1938. That golden generation managed to outperform the Netherlands and eliminate England in the qualifying phase, although they did not advance from the group stage in the tournament despite defeating Mexico.
Thirty-two years later, their sons, Kristian Thorstvedt, Erling Haaland, and Alexander Sorloth, have emulated their fathers. The trio's appearance on the field during the rout in Boston closes a familial circle in globalized football, where sons often surpass their fathers in fame.
Erling Haaland, the current star of Manchester City and one of the world's most recognized footballers, expressed his pride in debuting at a World Cup and contributing to Norway's first tournament victory in 28 years. The striker scored a brace and provided an assist in his debut, adding to his impressive personal statistics.
Alexander Sorloth also voiced his ambition to surpass the career of his father, Goran Sorloth, who had a notable career with the Norwegian national team. While Goran shone more internationally than at club level, Alexander has played for numerous teams, gaining experience in various leagues.
Meanwhile, Erik Thorsvedt, a former goalkeeper and Norway's record cap holder, watched his son Kristian, a midfielder for Sassuolo, come on as a substitute and participate in the team's fourth goal. Unlike his fellow forwards, Kristian chose a different position on the field.
Erling Haaland's career has clearly surpassed that of his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, who played in the Premier League. The young striker has established himself as a global star, with an enviable trophy cabinet and exceptional goal-scoring performance since his early days.
