ARLINGTON, Texas (KBTX) – As the clock neared the end of regulation in Tuesday\u2019s round of 32 World Cup matchup between Norway and the Ivory Coast, an antsy feeling permeated the red-and-blue-clad fans that filled AT&T Stadium, known as Dallas Stadium during the soccer tournament.<\/p>\n
Those Norwegian fans wanted a game-winning goal, but they yearned for it to come off the boot of their international superstar, striker Erling Haaland.<\/p>\n
After all, goals will continue to be necessary if Haaland wants to stay in the running for the Golden Boot, given to the World Cup\u2019s top goal scorer.<\/p>\n
Norway\u2019s star found his moment in the home of the blue star with just minutes left to play, tapping in the game-winning goal in his country\u2019s 2-1 win and extending his goal tally to five in four games.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very happy Haaland is Norwegian,\u201d Norway center back Kristoffer Ajer said after the game. \u201cI\u2019ve said that plenty of times. The way he pushes us every single day, and the way he always scored goals is a brilliant attribute for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haaland was the next in line when it comes to Golden Boot contenders finding the back of the net in North Texas, as it looks like Arlington might play a significant role in deciding the award\u2019s winner.<\/p>\n
Heading into Tuesday\u2019s slate of games, Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi held pole position in the goal-scoring column with six. Three of those goals were scored in Dallas Stadium in a pair of group stage matches against Austria and Jordan. His first goal against Austria earned him the World Cup career goal-scoring record, which is now up to 19.<\/p>\n
Messi won his first World Cup title last season, but has never won a Golden Boot at his record six tournament appearances.<\/p>\n
England\u2019s Harry Kane netted a pair against Croatia in Arlington as part of his three total, which places him No. 12 on the Golden Boot rankings.<\/p>\n
While Haaland and his teammates were celebrating their country\u2019s first knockout round victory, France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe was busy tallying a brace in a 3-0 win over Sweden. Those two goals put him in a tie with Messi atop the goal standings and leaves him one goal shy of Messi\u2019s career record.<\/p>\n
None of Mbappe\u2019s six goals have been in Dallas, but\u2014as the favorite to win the World Cup\u2014France has a semifinal matchup looming on the horizon at Dallas Stadium.<\/p>\n
Also, France\u2019s Ousmane Dembele sits right behind the top trio with four goals.<\/p>\n
No one knows exactly how this tournament will shake out; just ask eliminated squads from Germany and the Netherlands. Someone could come out of nowhere to take the tournament\u2019s top individual prize.<\/p>\n
But it certainly looks likely that the prize winner will have set foot on the pitch in Arlington, which has drawn rave reviews from scorers and defenders alike.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d have to say it was amazing,\u201d Ajer said of the stadium. \u201cOne of the best stadiums I\u2019ve been to. And the pitch and the circumstances were top, top standard. So, it was fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
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