Rise of a Football God

(Norway - Chile)

(Venue: BMO Field, Canada)

(Date: June 14, 2026)

(Time: 15:00)

It was 14th of June, and today, another World Cup fixture dominated the highlights that promised exciting football.

The Vikings of Norway were taking on the South American giants, Chile.

Both teams started with their strongest starting XIs.

For Norway, they started in a 4-4-2 formation with Nyland in between the posts, with a defensive quadruple of Wolfe, Heggem, Ajer, and Ryerson ahead of him. In midfield was the stalwart quadruple of Schjelderup, Berg, Berge, and the Arsenal skipper, Martin Odegaard.

Leading the line for the Vikings were two true Vikings, two no-nonsense, elite and lethal strikers in Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth.

And yet, they were not up against just any team.

They were up against the Chilean national football team.

Chile started in a 4-3-3 formation with Cortes in between the posts, and ahead of him standing a defensive quadruple of Loyola, Maripan, Diaz, and Suazo.

In midfield was the trio of Arturo Vidal, Echeverria, and Pizarro.

Yes, Arturo Vidal was still playing professional football and representing his country in the biggest stage.

The once Inter Milan legend, ex FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder wrote his legend in Europe's top 5 leagues long ago. He's left the highest tier leagues long ago, and yet, he was still going strong for his country.

Chile's offensive trio comprised Osorio, Vargas, and Valdes.

FWEEE!

The game started.

And immediately, it was clear that both countries came with only one thing in mind, to win the game and win it convincingly.

Norway and Chile played physical and offensive football.

Both had playstyles that were straightforward and direct to the point. For Norway, it was win back the ball, pass to Odegaard and let the Arsenal skipper do his magic with the ball at his feet. If not, simply feed the ball to either of the 2 strikers, Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth.

Both were lethal strikers in front of goal and absolute behemoths up field.

They could stand their ground against the most imposing of defenders, rattle them enough and hold possession to open up space for their teammates.

For Chile, it was more grounded, South American style team football.

Chile had no superstar in their team, and so they played as a team. Each and every player was equal, and they all had roles that they gave their all to execute as best as they could on the pitch.

Chile got the first goal of the game from a corner.

Vargas rose highest in the opposition box, planting a firm header past their goalkeeper to score the first goal of the game in the 32nd minute.

2 minutes later, the Vikings of Norway equalized in terrifying fashion.

Erling Haaland rose high to bring down a long Odegaard pass, winning the aerial duel and as he was swarmed, he kicked the ball to his side where his partner in crime, Alexander Sorloth lurked.

Loyola, the Chilean right back tried to hold him back but Sorloth simply shrugged him off with a shoulder bash, sending the defender sprawling to the ground.

Then, righting his center of gravity, he swung his right leg in a volley.

POW!

The power behind that shot was pure evil.

Chile's goalkeeper only saw a flash of light and air pressure, and the next moment, the ball was already inside his shaking net.

Alexander Sorloth jumped and pumped his fist in celebration.

Those rapid 2 goals set the game aflame, and Chile and Norway flexed their muscles, playing grounded and old-school style football.

And then, in the 41st minute of the game, the 3rd goal was scored.

This time, the Vikings struck first.

And this time, it was the Norwegian captain who got the goal for his team, Martin Odegaard provided the goods from outside the box.

Receiving a pass, with a simple ball shuffle and body movement, he escaped his man, pushed the ball forward a bit to set himself up before unleashing an absolute pile driver from outside the box.

The ball rolled through the field like a literal missile, shredding grass in its path before tearing its way into the bottom left corner of the net.

Martin Odegaard celebrated with passion.

Surely, Norway had won this first half, right? Right?

Well, reality said no.

In the 45th minute, Arturo Vidal rolled back the years with a vintage strike, hitting the ball powerfully with a knuckle ball shot, sending it high in the air before it dipped and entered the top right corner with pure power and speed.

2-2!

What a game!

The second half ended with both sides even, 2-2.

During halftime, the 2 national team coaches did their best to rile up their players to claim the win. And when second half started, both teams left everything on the pitch in a classic FIFA World Cup game.

Chile played like warriors, Norway played like true Vikings.

In the 66th minute, Erling Haaland scored only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul involved in the buildup.

In the 79th minute, Chile thought they claimed the victory already when Vargas scored only for it to be ruled out for an offside call.

What a game it was!

The game was poised to end in a draw, and at its end, it would surely take the spot of the most intense game of the tournament so far.

And yet, this game was not out of drama yet.

In the 90th minute of the game, crazy things happened.

The old geezer struck again… Arturo Vidal scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game!

After a late run from midfield, he arrived just in time to run into the path of the goalkeeper's rebound after a Chilean shot. One of the Norwegian defenders tried to clear the ball.

Vidal saw the striking leg. He knew the danger, and yet, he bravely dived after the ball with his head. The leg struck the side of his head, cutting his face as blood flowed and yet he managed to push the ball in with his head.

GOALLLLLLL…!!!

The BMO Field in Canada exploded.

The commentators went haywire with their commentary.

What a game it was!

Chile narrowly won the game 2-3.