Norway striker Erling Haaland has stated that all the pressure is on England as the two teams prepare for their World Cup quarter-final match in Miami on Saturday. Haaland, who was born in Leeds, encouraged the media to intensify the pressure on Thomas Tuchel‘s squad.
Norway is making its first appearance in the final eight of a World Cup since 1998. The team secured its spot by finishing second in Group I and then defeating Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout rounds. In contrast, England has reached at least the quarter-finals in the last three men’s World Cups but has not advanced to the final since their victory in 1966.
When asked about the pressure, the Manchester City striker affirmed, “Yes, definitely. I think there’s some clear favourites out there, England‘s one of them.” He further suggested to journalists, “I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads.” Haaland also commented on England fans’ confidence, stating, “Yeah, they [England fans] should be confident of progressing, definitely. It’s England.”
Haaland, who has scored in each of his past 14 competitive games for Norway, will participate in the match against the nation of his birth. His father, Alf-Inge, moved from Leeds United to Manchester City during the summer Haaland was born. The game is scheduled for Saturday.
Last year, Haaland appeared on the cover of Time magazine, where he estimated Norway had a 0.5% chance of winning the World Cup. However, his performance, including seven goals in four appearances and a double against Brazil in the last 16, has propelled Norway into the quarter-finals. “I didn’t expect it. To be honest, to be in the quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup is quite surprising even for me,” he admitted.
He described the experience of playing Brazil as “kind of crazy for us Norwegians” and noted that winning against them to face England in the quarter-finals in the USA is “quite special.” Haaland also mentioned that the scenes back in Norway indicate that this level of success is “not normal for Norway,” making it “super special.”
Haaland’s popularity in the US has grown during the tournament, attributed to both his on-field performance and his off-field personality. After scoring the winning goal against Ivory Coast in the last 32, Haaland was seen shopping for cowboy hats and boots in Dallas. A video of this trip on his YouTube channel garnered 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,” Haaland remarked. He praised the World Cup experience in the US, calling everything from the games to the stadiums and training grounds “amazing” and “impressive.” Other videos show him at the Stanley Cup final in North Carolina and leading his teammates in a “Viking row” celebration after defeating Brazil.
Haaland enjoys joking and having fun, seeing it as a key part of his daily life alongside training and preparation. He believes in enjoying the moment, especially during the World Cup, because “nothing lasts forever.”
Mind games or genuine assessment?
Nico O’Reilly, Haaland’s teammate at Manchester City and England‘s starting left-back, will likely face Haaland in the quarter-final. When asked about Haaland’s comments regarding England being favorites, O’Reilly suggested it “Could be mind games.” He acknowledged Norway as a strong team, stating, “they have shown it through the whole tournament. It’s not just certain players we have to worry about – they’re good collectively. It’s going to be a good game and good battle.”
O’Reilly is well aware of Haaland’s finishing ability, describing him as a “real threat” who is “dangerous in the box.” England assistant coach Anthony Barry echoed O’Reilly’s sentiments, emphasizing that Norway is not a one-man team. Barry noted their excellence in set-pieces and the threats posed by their frontline players who compete for major European clubs. He specifically mentioned Odegaard, a Premier League winner and captain, highlighting that Norway has earned its place in the last eight.
Barry stressed that England respects Norway and is prepared for the match, viewing it as “step one of three” in their tournament progression.
A historical perspective on Norway vs. England
The upcoming match evokes memories of a significant historical encounter between Norway and England. On 9 September 1981, Norway defeated England 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier, a result that became legendary in Norwegian football folklore. The match was famously commentated by Bjørge Lillelien, whose triumphant and emotional broadcast is still remembered today.
Lillelien’s commentary included a memorable segment where he listed prominent English figures, declaring, “We have beaten England! England, the birthplace of giants!” He concluded with the iconic phrase, switching to English, “Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? I have a message for you, in the middle of your election campaign. I have a message for you … As they say in the boxing bars around Madison Square Garden in New York: your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating!”
At the time, England had experienced a challenging period, with losses to Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, and Brazil earlier in 1981, and draws against Wales and Romania. Norway, on the other hand, had not participated in a major tournament since the 1938 Olympics. For many Norwegians, England and English football held a special place, with the public broadcaster NRK showing live English first division matches during the winter months since November 1969.
This exposure led to many Norwegians developing strong attachments to English clubs. Gabriel Høyland, Erling Haaland’s great uncle, is a dedicated Burnley supporter, and commentator Kasper Wikestad is a Norwich fan. These individuals grew up with English football as a “promised land,” drawn by the atmosphere, chants, and stars.
Øyvind Alsaker, who will commentate on Saturday’s quarter-final for Norwegian broadcaster TV2, was part of the first generation to grow up with televised English games. He described the excitement around which team would be shown each weekend. Alsaker noted that for Norwegians, beating England in a qualifying match was an “unrealistic dream” given England‘s perceived stature in football.
Lillelien, known for making “boring games fun,” became increasingly animated as Norway maintained their 2-1 lead. He famously called Phil Neal a “thug” for a tackle on Tom Lund. As the final whistle approached, Lillelien expressed impatience with the referee, suggesting he was slow to end the game. When the whistle finally blew, Lillelien erupted, proclaiming, “Norway have beaten England 2-1 at football! We are the best in the world!”
Today, the fascination with English football continues in Norway, with many young Norwegians aspiring to play in England. Alsaker described the current situation as “unreal,” especially considering Norway‘s journey to the quarter-finals. He noted that reaching the round of 16 was already fantastic, and now playing for a spot among the top four teams in a World Cup is “wild.” Alsaker approaches his commentary role with humility and responsibility, recognizing the significance of the match for many Norwegians. He concluded that for Norwegians, no opponent on a football pitch could mean more than England.
Read Also
Source: bbc.com
Arjun Sharma
Sports Reporter