John Stones has fired an early warning to former Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland as England prepare to face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals. The defence is ready, the England defender signalled, ahead of a clash that pits him against the striker who has just fired his country into the last eight for the first time.
Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 at the New York New Jersey Stadium, a result that sent the five-time champions crashing out and secured Norway’s first ever quarter-final appearance. The Norwegian striker, who spent last season alongside Stones at City, will now lead the line against an England side that have conceded only once in the tournament.
“John Stones warns Erling Haaland as England face Norway in World Cup quarter-final after striker's double knocked out Brazil.”
Stones, speaking ahead of the fixture, made clear he is relishing the challenge of facing his former club colleague. The defender, a key part of Gareth Southgate’s backline, will marshal a defence that has kept three clean sheets in four matches. “He’s a world-class player, but we are ready,” Stones said, in what amounted to the first verbal salvo of the quarter-final. “We know each other well from training, but this is different. It’s England against Norway.”
Norway’s victory over Brazil sent shockwaves through the tournament. Haaland’s double, both clinical finishes, ended Brazil’s hopes and ensured that for the first time, Norway will play in the last eight. England, meanwhile, progressed with a 2-0 win over Mexico, a result marred by an injury to Jordan Henderson, who was taken to hospital and is expected to miss the rest of the World Cup.
The quarter-final now pits two contrasting styles against each other: England’s disciplined defence against Norway’s potent attack, led by the tournament’s joint top scorer. For Stones, the reunion with Haaland is a subplot that adds extra spice to a match that could define England’s campaign.