Norwegian forward Erling Haaland views England as a leading contender for the World Cup title and, grinning, encouraged the press to apply maximum expectation on them ahead of their quarter-final clash on Saturday.
Norway hadn’t taken part in a World Cup tournament since 1998, but they’ve now progressed to the last eight for the first time after securing second place in Group I and subsequently overcoming Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout rounds.
England have made it to at least the quarter-final stage in each of the last three editions of the men’s World Cup, yet they haven’t reached the final since lifting the trophy in 1966.
“I think there’s some clear favourites out there, England’s one of them,” stated the Manchester City striker Haaland.
Speaking to reporters, he went on: “I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads.”
Haaland, 25, has found the net in each of his last 14 competitive matches for Norway and will aim to extend that streak against the country where he was born—he was delivered in Leeds while his father played for Leeds United—when the teams face off in Foxborough on Saturday (22:00 BST).
When Haaland featured on the cover of Time magazine the previous year, he suggested Norway possessed a mere 0.5% probability of winning the World Cup.
Yet seven goals across four appearances from Haaland—including a brace that knocked out Brazil in the round of 16—have propelled Norway into the quarter-finals.
“I didn’t see this coming. To be honest, finding ourselves in the World Cup quarter-finals with Norway is quite a shock even for me,” he added.
“Facing Brazil was almost surreal for us Norwegians, and then to defeat them and move on to play England in a World Cup quarter-final in the United States is something truly special.
“If you watch the celebrations back home in Norway, you’ll see this is far from ordinary for our country, so it’s incredibly special.”
Haaland’s prominence in the US has soared throughout the competition, driven partly by his character and antics away from the pitch, along with his scoring feats.
Shortly after netting the decisive goal in the round of 32 against Ivory Coast, Haaland ventured out in Dallas to purchase cowboy hats and boots.
He captured the shopping excursion for his YouTube channel, and that video accumulated over six million views within five days.
“It’s a good thing because I like the Americans, I think they are kind of hilarious as well. They are funny, so I like the way they are,” he remarked.
“I think it’s just good. Honestly on every single thing with the World Cup so far here it has been amazing. From the games to the stadiums, everything has been amazing.
“The training ground where we train has been amazing, so I’m super happy and it’s been impressive.”
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