Erling Haaland’s brace catapults him to seven tournament goals and leads Norway into the quarterfinals against either Mexico or England. Now, let’s be real: how long will it be before mainstream media outlets like ESPN or Fox Sports start telling us how Haaland is the best player in the universe rather than just recognizing he’s really good on a good team?

Get ready for the spin. They’ll conveniently ignore the collective effort of the Norwegian squad, instead putting Haaland on a pedestal so high, you’d think he single-handedly lifted Norway into the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, in their frantic efforts to create a narrative around ‘Haaland mania,’ they gloss over the weaknesses of the national teams they faced. Typical corporate media tactics, right? Don’t question the narrative, just keep singing Haaland’s praises.

What’s almost comical is the hype surrounding potential heavyweights like Mexico or England as if they’re invincible. Haven’t they learned that in this tournament, anything can happen? But no, it’s easier for those networks to tell you how great England is—despite their ongoing track record of disappointment on the world stage.

This tournament isn’t just about individual success; it’s a complex tapestry of teamwork and strategy. But do you think the big networks will emphasize that? Doubtful! They’d rather distract you with elite marketing and stories that fit neatly into their pre-packaged narratives. Let’s hope the truth comes out amid the smoke and mirrors as the tournament progresses.