Erling Haaland has once again pushed all the pressure on to an opponent with Norway set to face England in the World Cup quarterfinals in Miami on Saturday (5 p.m. ET; Fox).
England are ranked fourth in the FIFA rankings, while Norway are 19th. The Three Lions reached the quarterfinals in Qatar four years ago and have finished as runners-up in each of the past two European Championships. The matchup will provide another difficult test for Haaland and company after knocking off Côte d’Ivoire and Brazil to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time ever at a World Cup.
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Even with Haaland, currently sitting third in the Golden Boot race on seven goals, and Martin Ødegaard, tied for third with three assists, leading the way, Norway’s talisman still sees his side with long odds at lifting the World Cup trophy on July 19 in New Jersey.
“Really low, still,” Haaland said. “I think there’s some clear favorites out there, England’s one of them. I think all of you [reporters] should put every single pressure on the English lads,” he said with a laugh.
This isn’t the first time in this tournament Haaland has downplayed his team’s chances and attempted to shift focus elsewhere. Before Norway’s group-stage finale against France, he said he did not care about the result since both sides had already reached the knockout stage and tipped France to win it all.
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“So I couldn’t care too much about that game now,” Haaland said. “They [France] are probably going to win against us, they’re probably going to win the whole tournament.”
France would win that match 4-1 as Haaland sat out and watched Ousmane Dembélé record a hat trick within the opening 32 minutes.
Haaland has a connection with England. He was born in Leeds as his father, Alfie, finished up playing in the Premier League. The family moved to Bryne when he was 3 years old and nearly a decade after starting his professional career, he now scores goals for Manchester City.
“It’s a special game, definitely,” Haaland said. “I think for me it’s super special, because I play in England and I was born in England, and you also play against teammates and everything. It’s a funny game and it’s going to be nice.”
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Is it coming home, as England supporters sing? The winner of Saturday’s match will get Lionel Messi and Argentina or Switzerland in Wednesday’s semifinal in Atlanta.
England are regulars in big tournaments. Norway are in the beginning of a “golden generation.”
So should the Three Lions hold all of the pressure?
“Yeah, definitely,” Haaland said.
