A beaming – and topless – Erling Haaland was embraced by Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway after he fired his nation into the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
Haaland’s inspired brace in New Jersey downed Brazil and continued Norway’s fairytale run to the last eight.
As players celebrated in the dressing room after the match they were shocked to receive a royal visit with Princess Alexandra, eldest daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Mariet of Norway, keen to pass on her congratulations.
Alongside her brother Prince Sverre Magnus, the Princess spoke to each player and was quick to give a hug to star man Haaland, even if he was only partially dressed.
Princess Ingrid is next in line to the throne and eventually will become Queen of Norway and so her presence in New Jersey was significant.
A topless Erling Haaland was embraced in a hug by the future Queen of Norway on Sunday
Princess Ingrid Alexandra (right) attended the Brazil clash with brother Prince Sverre Magnus
She first appeared at the tournament for the last-32 win over Senegal when she replaced her father at late notice.
Crown Prince Haakon cancelled his visit after his wife went in for surgery, meaning that Princess Alexandra stepped up and she’s been a lucky charm in both games, with Norway – and particularly Haaland – shining on their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
The World Cup represents Princess Ingrid’s first official public appearance since Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s lung transplant which has been headline news back in Norway alongside the success of Haaland and Co.
As for the football, Haaland took over the game and took his own goal tally to seven, drawing level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe in the race for the golden boot.
‘That’s just how it usually goes. If I get a chance or two, it usually ends up as a goal,’ Haaland said after his clinical brace.
‘I don’t know how I do it, but that’s how I do it, so it’s all about staying focused.
‘I tell myself the chance will come, and then I usually know right away if I don’t score.
Haaland (right) is his nation’s hero right now after his brace booked a quarter-final on Saturday
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‘I’m starting to realise now, I think, that it’s a gift from God that it goes in perfectly, perfectly right up against the post and stuff. So it’s crazy.
‘We just kept pushing forward, but I hope that all the young people watching this interview – I hope that when you get a little older, you’ll see playing for Norway as the proudest thing you’ll ever do in your entire life – it’s absolutely insane.’
Norway’s players, as well as the Royals cheering them on, will now look ahead to Saturday’s quarter-final in Miami where the winner of Mexico versus England, in tonight’s delayed match in Mexico City, awaits.
