Norway striker Erling Haaland said his debut FIFA World Cup campaign has 'changed him as a person,' reflecting with deep pride on the national team's historic run — one that ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 extra-time defeat to England in the quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday.

Haaland's World Cup in Numbers

The 25-year-old had been in devastating form throughout the tournament, netting seven goals in four consecutive matches against Iraq, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, and Brazil. Against England, however, he was effectively neutralised — managing only two shots on target and nine passes attempted before being substituted at the close of the first extra-time period.

What Haaland Said

'These things are surreal; I think this has changed me as a person, I think my profile has grown a bit, let's put it that way. It's hard to even process it all right now when I look back at the games, but it's incredibly special to be part of an event like this, something I used to watch from the sidelines, and now I'm living it first-hand,' Haaland said after the match.

He added: 'I feel immense pride, and I'm genuinely moved when I think about how well we performed, the sense of unity back in Norway, and the positivity and joy we've felt both there and here.'

How England Turned the Game

Norway had taken the lead against England but were pegged back and ultimately beaten 2-1 in extra time. Jude Bellingham scored both goals to complete the turnaround, sending the Three Lions into the semi-finals. England became the first team in the tournament to successfully contain Haaland, whose influence was visibly diminished compared to the group and Round of 16 stages.

Norway's Historic Campaign

Despite the quarter-final exit, Haaland was keen to frame the campaign as a landmark moment for Norwegian football. Norway's Round of 16 victory over five-time champions Brazil was widely regarded as one of the tournament's biggest upsets.

'This has been my goal for a long time, and I think after this tournament, we've put Norway on the map, so to speak. Now it's about maintaining those standards. I'm incredibly proud. We proved that it's possible to beat one of the biggest teams in the world, Brazil. We lost to England in the end, but we made them fight for it. Perhaps it could have gone differently,' Haaland said.

He also pointed to the future with confidence: 'We've got more World Cups and Euros ahead of us; I think it's time for us to really establish ourselves. We've got a fantastic generation.'

Divided Loyalties for the Semi-Finals

With several Manchester City teammates in the England squad, and having grown up in England, Haaland acknowledged his loyalties were complicated when asked whether he would back the Three Lions going forward.

'I've got my City teammates here, that's true. I grew up in England, and the first shirt I ever owned was an England one. It's a special country. But I have teammates from France and Spain too,' he said.

Norway's exit marks the end of what is already being called the country's best-ever World Cup campaign. With a young squad and Haaland at the peak of his powers, the expectation is that this generation will return stronger at future tournaments.