Kochi: Kerala Tourism has sent the internet into a frenzy with a creatively edited image of Norwegian football superstar Erling Haaland. The viral post, titled "Garland," features a clever edit of the striker wearing a traditional jasmine flower garland, locally known as a mulla poo, in his hair. The post has struck a chord with fans, blending local culture with the global football fever surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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The response from the public has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with social media users flooding the comments section. Many praised the social media team's wit, with one user stating, "Whoever came up with this deserves a raise." Others embraced the playful spirit, declaring, "Next stop Kerala!" and hailing the tribute as "on point." Several fans tagged the striker directly, while one commenter simply noted, "Admin cooked as usual," a popular expression of approval for high-quality content.

Norway vs Ivory Coast (Round of 32)

While Haaland’s global fame continues to grow, his performance on the pitch remains his most significant contribution to the tournament. In a historic Round of 32 clash at the Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026, Norway secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast.

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Antonio Nusa handed Norway the lead in the 39th minute with a stunning curling effort. Ivory Coast responded in the 74th minute when substitute Amad Diallo equalised after a brilliant individual run. With the match seemingly heading towards extra time, Erling Haaland stepped up in the 86th minute, tapping in a decisive pass from Patrick Berg to seal Norway’s first-ever knockout stage win in World Cup history. Norway is now set to face five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 16.