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Erling Haaland has attempted to pile the pressure on England ahead of Saturday’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final, insisting the Three Lions have everything to lose while Norway have nothing but belief. England, however, are refusing to bite, with defender Nico O’Reilly dismissing the striker’s comments as little more than “mind games.”
The Manchester City forward has been the face of Norway’s stunning World Cup run, scoring seven goals in four matches to fire his country into their first quarter-final since 1998. Fresh from knocking out Brazil, Haaland is now eyeing another heavyweight scalp.
And he believes England should be feeling the weight of expectation.
“Yes, definitely,” Haaland said when asked if all the pressure was on England.
“I think there’s some clear favourites out there, England’s one of them.”
The 25-year-old even encouraged the media to crank up the scrutiny on Thomas Tuchel’s side.
“I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads.
“They should be confident of progressing, definitely. It’s England.”
England, meanwhile, insist they are not getting distracted before one of their biggest tests of the tournament.
ENGLAND BRUSH OFF HAALAND’S ‘MIND GAMES’
Nico O’Reilly, who is expected to line up directly against his Manchester City teammate, smiled when Haaland’s remarks were put to him.
“Could be mind games,” O’Reilly said.
“But look, they’re a good team as well. 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.”
The England defender knows better than most what Haaland is capable of.
“Erling is Erling,” he said.
“We all know what he is like. He can score goals and is dangerous in the box. He is a real threat. They need to get him the ball. A lot goes into it.”
England arrive in Miami carrying the burden of expectation after reaching at least the quarter-finals in each of the last three World Cups. Norway, by contrast, have already exceeded almost every prediction by making the last eight for the first time in nearly three decades.
HAALAND ENJOYING NORWAY’S FAIRYTALE RUN
Haaland admitted even he had not imagined Norway would make it this far.
“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 said.
“Playing against Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians and to win against Brazil and then go and play England in the quarter-finals in the World Cup in the USA is quite special.”
The striker, born in Leeds while his father Alf-Inge Haaland played in England, has become one of the stars of the tournament both on and off the pitch.
Hours after helping Norway eliminate Ivory Coast, he was spotted shopping for cowboy hats and boots in Dallas, a video that quickly racked up millions of views. He has also embraced the World Cup atmosphere in the United States, attending the Stanley Cup Final and leading Norway’s now-famous Viking clap celebrations after beating Brazil.
“I like to joke a little bit and I like to have fun,” Haaland said.
“I think that’s a key to my daily life… you also need to joke around and enjoy the moment.
“That’s what we’ve been doing now and just as we play in the World Cup, we have to enjoy it because nothing lasts forever.”
The smiles may continue off the pitch, but once the whistle blows in Miami, one of the tournament favourites and one of its biggest surprise packages will be separated by far more than mind games. England are chasing a first World Cup title since 1966, while Norway are dreaming of extending the greatest run in their footballing history.
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