Ten years ago, an Indian Under-17 team held Norway scoreless in the first half of a youth international game. On Sunday, one of the boys in that Norwegian side, Erling Haaland, led his country into the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup with a match-winning performance against the mighty Brazil.Haaland scored two points as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time. The striker headed in the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute before adding another before the end of regulation time to send his team through. “Maybe it will write the history of Norway,” Haaland said. “Everyone just has to enjoy themselves. It’s just a crazy day. It’s one of the craziest days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, hold it tight and seize the moment.”The second goal was Haaland’s seventh of the tournament, drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.Norway is playing in the World Cup for only the fourth time and the first time since 1998 after losing in the previous six editions. Haaland, who turns 26 on July 21, was not even born when Norway last appeared in the tournament. Today, he is the most famous football player in the country.After Haaland’s performance, cricket commentator Joy Bhattacharjya recalled his link with Indian football.Bhattacharjya pointed out that in 2016, Haaland played for Norway’s Under-16 team against India’s Under-17 side, which was preparing for the Under-17 World Cup. The game was goalless at half-time before India defender Sanjeev Stalin was sent off. Haaland then scored as Norway won 2-0.The match report from June 19, 2016, is still available on the All India Football Federation website.“After the Indian Colts were reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Sanjeev earned a second yellow card for a rash tackle, Norway took the lead in the 57th minute through Erling Braut Haaland and doubled their lead in the 80th minute when Erik Bothheim’s strike found the net,” it stated.“After a goalless first half, Sanjeev was red carded in the 54th minute and India were reduced to 10 men. The Indian Colts failed to erase their deficit after conceding goals in the 57th and 80th minutes as the full-time scoreline read 2-0 in favor of Norway.”Many players from the India Under-17 side later represented the senior national team and clubs in the Indian Super League. Haaland, on the other hand, has become one of the top footballers in the world.As Norway prepares for the quarterfinals of FIFA World Cup 2026, Indian football finds itself in a different position. Among FIFA’s 211 member associations, India is ranked 138th.