Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken admitted he struggled to get any sleep after his side’s dramatic 2-1 World Cup last-16 victory over Brazil on Sunday, explaining that a courteous gesture from Carlo Ancelotti helped cool a misunderstanding that had followed an earlier video clip.
Solbakken: a late-night win and an even bigger emotional reset
Solbakken said the atmosphere after the match left him wired, but he eventually reflected on how the situation with Ancelotti had been resolved. He described the evening as difficult to switch off from, even after the historic result that sent Norway into the quarter-finals.
Speaking on Monday, the 58-year-old coach said he was grateful that any tension appeared to have faded, pointing to what Ancelotti did once the game was over.
The clip that sparked Brazil’s reaction, and what Solbakken said
Before Sunday’s match, some Brazil supporters were reportedly irritated by a clip featuring Solbakken saying “Carlo Ancelotti, we’re coming for you!” after Norway’s last-32 win over the Ivory Coast. Solbakken insisted the message had been taken out of context and suggested that Ancelotti did not hold any ill will.
- Brazil fans reacted to a video in which Solbakken said “Carlo Ancelotti, we’re coming for you!”
- That line was linked to Norway’s last-32 victory over the Ivory Coast
- Solbakken said the remark was misunderstood and that it looked like there were no hard feelings from Ancelotti
Ancelotti’s gesture after the match
Solbakken claimed Ancelotti demonstrated respect after the game, describing a sign of goodwill that ended any lingering friction.
“I can say that he showed his enormous greatness after the match,” Solbakken told reporters on Monday. “He sent a representative in with a Brazilian shirt with my name on the back and a greeting. So it was strong stuff.”
Quarter-final joy, limited rest, and the next opponent
Erling Haaland scored twice to book Norway’s place in the quarter-finals for the first time, where they will meet England in Miami on Saturday. Solbakken said he gave the celebration to the players and coaching staff while he struggled to rest, eventually rewatching the match and responding to messages.
“I let the support staffs celebrate for themselves,” Solbakken said. “I was too tired, so I went to bed and watched the game again, and then I scrolled a little here and there and answered a few texts, and slept very little. But it was a good morning.”
- Erling Haaland scored twice to send Norway into the quarter-finals
- Norway’s first-ever quarter-final appearance in the tournament
- Next match: England in Miami on Saturday
- Solbakken said he let the backroom team celebrate while he spent much of the night exhausted and rewatching the game
Celebration policy: freedom with responsibility
Solbakken also clarified that he had not exactly issued a “free hand” for celebration, but he believed his squad would still enjoy the moment appropriately.
“I didn’t give them a free hand exactly,” he said, “but I expected they’d still be able to enjoy themselves anyway.”
He added: “They decide these things themselves, it’s freedom with responsibility. It always is, these boys manage that just fine.”
