​Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland has urged the media to focus all the pressure on the English squad as his national team prepares for a landmark World Cup quarter-final clash with England this Saturday. Haaland, who has been the driving force behind Norway’s remarkable run to the last eight, has been prolific at this tournament, lighting up the global stage with seven goals from five appearances as he demonstrates his world-class capabilities.
The Manchester City frontman, a native of Leeds, venturing into a “special game” against familiar foes, stressed that the responsibility should lie with Thomas Tuchel’s England rather than with his own side. When reporters in Miami asked him to assess Norway’s chances of lifting the trophy, Haaland smiled wryly and expressed a tempered view of their prospects, acknowledging the formidable competition ahead.
“Still really low,” he replied, candidly admitting that there are clear favorites in the tournament, with England among them. “I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads.”
Haaland described the upcoming encounter as a truly special occasion. He said it holds personal significance because he plays his club football in England and was born there, adding that facing teammates and friends from the Premier League would add an extra layer of intrigue to an already memorable fixture. “It’s a special game, definitely. I think for me it’s super special, because I play in England and I was born in England, and you also play against team-mates and everything,” he said. He also noted the light-hearted side of the rivalry, calling the match “a funny game” and expressing anticipation for the occasion.
Despite the high-pressure environment, Haaland urged humility while maintaining confidence in his team’s ability to progress. “I think everyone should stay humble, they should be confident of progressing definitely, it’s England,” he said, underscoring the focused mindset with which Norway approaches the quarter-final showdown.
Norway’s journey to the last eight has been nothing short of historic. They ousted the Ivory Coast in the round of 32 and then produced a sensational performance to dethrone Brazil in the round of 16, a victory that has electrified the footballing nation. Haaland reflected on the enormity of beating Brazil and advancing to a World Cup quarter-final against a neighboring footballing giant. “Playing against Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians, and to win against Brazil and then go and play England in the quarter-finals in the World Cup in the USA is quite special,” he said. He emphasized that the scenes in Norway after the Brazil victory underscored how extraordinary this moment is for the country. “If you watch the scenes back in Norway, this is not normal for Norway, so it’s super special,” he added.
For a tournament that has delivered drama and drama again, Haaland’s assertion that the world should “put every single pressure on the English lads” has added a narrative thread to the lead-up. It frames the match as a battle between a rising Norwegian team and a traditional heavyweight in English football, with Haaland at the heart of Norway’s hopes. The 23-year-old’s ambition remains clear as he eyes more goals and more history, while Norway basks in the glow of one of their most memorable runs at a World Cup.