Erling Haaland has turned up the heat on England ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final, insisting all the pressure is on Thomas Tuchel’s side – and urging the media to pile it on. “I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads,” the Norway striker told journalists. “Yeah, they [England fans] should be confident of progressing, definitely. It’s England.”
Haaland, 25, was born in Leeds during the summer his father Alf-Inge moved from Leeds United to Manchester City, but now leads the line for a Norway side that had not competed at a World Cup since 1998. They have reached the last eight for the first time, beating Ivory Coast and Brazil en route, with Haaland scoring seven goals in four appearances – including a double to eliminate Brazil. “To be in the quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup is quite surprising even for me,” he admitted. “Playing against Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians and to win against Brazil and then go and play England … is quite special.”
“Erling Haaland says all pressure is on England before Saturday's World Cup quarter-final, as Reece James and others battle fitness.”
England, meanwhile, are grappling with a cluster of injury concerns. Reece James is hoping to prove his fitness after a hamstring problem that has sidelined him for the last three games, but starting him would be a “huge gamble”, according to reports. Marc Guehi missed training this week with muscle fatigue after the Mexico last-16 tie, while Declan Rice also sat out on Wednesday, though both trained behind closed doors on Thursday. Jarell Quansah is suspended for two matches after his red card against Mexico, meaning Djed Spence is likely to slot in at right back.
Bukayo Saka, however, has declared himself fit and ready. The Arsenal winger has been managing an Achilles issue but said: “Right now I’m feeling great and ready to go.” Saka assisted Jude Bellingham’s opener in Mexico but has yet to complete 90 minutes at the tournament. “My mindset doesn’t really change much,” he added. “I come on whether I start or play. I just try and do what the game needs.”
England have reached at least the quarter-finals in the past three men’s World Cups but have not made the final since winning in 1966. Haaland, who once said Norway had a 0.5% chance of winning the tournament, now finds himself one goal behind Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race and riding a wave of popularity in the US. Hours after scoring the winner against Ivory Coast, he went shopping for cowboy hats and boots, filming the trip for his YouTube channel – a video that gained more than six million views in five days. “I like the Americans, I think they are kind of hilarious,” he said with a smile.
The brotherhood bond that has driven England’s dream through the Azteca and beyond will face its sternest test yet. As Saka put it: “Each game has been unique … now it’s about winning.”