Jude Bellingham had just finished celebrating his two goals in a breathless 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico — a victory that sent England into the World Cup quarter-finals despite Jarrel Quansah’s red card — when the reality of what awaits them on Saturday night began to sink in. Norway. And Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City striker scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the last eight for the first time since 1998, a result that felt seismic enough without the added weight of what it means for Thomas Tuchel’s side. Haaland now has seven goals in four World Cup games, level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings. And he has done it with barely a touch. Against Brazil, he had only four touches inside the box. One of them broke the deadlock after 79 minutes. Another, a low drive from outside the box 11 minutes later, sealed the win.
“England face Norway and Erling Haaland after Haaland's double beat Brazil to set up World Cup quarter-final.”
“You don’t see any other player doing that,” former Scotland winger Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “There was not a chance there. There wasn’t a half chance, quarter chance. Nothing.” Ian Wright added on ITV: “People constantly talk about how many touches he has. He didn’t have to have a lot of touches.”
Haaland has scored 62 goals in 54 senior internationals — a goal every 71 minutes — and only six have been penalties. He has scored in each of his past 14 competitive appearances for Norway, claiming 27 goals. “He has given the whole country belief that they can go really far,” said Wayne Rooney on BBC One. Gary Neville noted: “Sometimes it’s said ‘he’s never done it on the world stage’ and that’s now been removed.”
England’s own journey to the quarter-final was no less dramatic. After a cagey start, Bellingham headed in Bukayo Saka’s cross, then scored again two minutes later when Anthony Gordon won the ball high and Harry Kane crossed for the finish. Mexico halved the deficit through Julian Quinones from a set-piece before half-time. In the second half, Quansah was shown a straight red card after a VAR review, but Kane made it 3-1 from the penalty spot after Gordon was fouled. Mexico replied with a penalty of their own, Raul Jimenez converting, but England held on.
The quarter-final kicks off at 10pm on Saturday 11 July. If England overcome Norway, they face a semi-final against one of Switzerland, Colombia, Argentina or Egypt. But first, they must find a way to stop Haaland. Norway manager Stale Solbakken’s side have made history. Now they believe anything is possible.