Erling Haaland Lookalike: Russian Model Anastasia Kostromitina Goes Viral For Uncanny Resemblance To Star Norway Footballer
Russian model Anastasia Kostromitina, 24, has become an internet sensation for her uncanny resemblance to football star Erling Haaland, 25. A video posted by her mother showcasing the similarities, including blonde hair and piercing eyes, went viral with over 30 million views in 24 hours, coinciding with Haaland's 7 goals leading Norway into the World Cup.
A Russian model has become an overnight sensation, drawing stunned comparisons to Norwegian football sensation Erling Haaland, 25. Anastasia Kostromitina, a 24-year-old from Moscow, shot to internet fame this week after a video showcasing her uncanny resemblance to the Manchester City striker went viral across social media platforms. Who Is the Erling Haaland Lookalike Girl Famous for Her French Braid Tutorial Videos?.
The viral moment arrived when Kostromitina's mother, Mariya, posted a light-hearted video of her daughter mimicking Haaland's signature poses and goal celebrations. The clip, initially shared on Instagram, quickly exploded, with viewers marveling at the striking similarities in their blonde hair, piercing blue-grey eyes, sharp features, and intense stares. Mariya's Instagram reel alone garnered over four million views and 62,000 comments, while similar content featuring Anastasia racked up approximately 30 million views across various social media platforms within 24 hours of Haaland's recent World Cup double against Brazil. Some reports indicate total views surpassed an astonishing 63 million in a single day.
Anastasia Kostromitina Mimics Erling Haaland
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From Denial to Embracing the Doppelgänger Fame
Anastasia Kostromitina, who has modeled for prominent brands like Clarins, Dyson, Uniqlo, and Lamoda, revealed that comparisons to the football star first emerged around four years ago. Initially, she found the suggestions discomfiting. "If I'm honest, I went through all the stages of denial," Kostromitina stated. "At first I didn't understand how I looked like him. Then I was a little offended".
However, the recent global attention, coinciding with Haaland's spectacular form at the ongoing World Cup, has shifted her perspective. She now embraces the comparison. "But now I realise that being similar to such a cool athlete – even just physically – is actually not bad at all," she added, explaining her decision to "play on it". The widespread buzz even prompted Erling Haaland himself to react to the comparison on Instagram with a humorous comment. Kostromitina hopes the football star will further interact with her viral content. Fact Check: AI-Generated Viral Video Claims Erling Haaland's Sister Gabrielle is Footballer's Lookalike.
Anastasia Kostromitina Enacts Popular Erling Haaland Memes
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Erling Haaland's World Cup Dominance and Upcoming Quarter-Final
The timing of Kostromitina's viral fame couldn't be more opportune, as Erling Haaland is currently dominating headlines at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began on June 11, 2026, and concludes on July 19, 2026. The prolific striker is the tournament's joint-top scorer, having netted seven goals, and has been instrumental in leading Norway to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, after they defeated Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16.
Norway is set to face a monumental clash against England in the World Cup quarter-final tomorrow, July 11, 2026. The football world will be watching closely to see if Haaland can continue his incredible goal-scoring run and propel his nation further in the prestigious tournament.
As the football world anticipates the high-stakes quarter-final, the unexpected viral sensation of Anastasia Kostromitina adds a unique and light-hearted dimension to the global focus on Erling Haaland and Norway's World Cup journey.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2026 02:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).