Norway’s Erling Haaland says England should rightly feel confident ahead of the quarter-final clash between the two sides, insisting the pressure is firmly on Thomas Tuchel’s side to progress.
Most England fans are delighted to have avoided Brazil after Norway’s 2-1 victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s men resulted in a far easier game on paper for England – with a place in the World Cup semi-finals the reward for the winners.
Asked by Sky Sports News reporter Gary Cotterill if England fans should stay humble and avoid getting ahead of themselves, Haaland said: “I think everyone should stay humble – but they should be confident of progressing, definitely.”
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Asked if the felt the pressure was on England, Haaland told journalists after Norway’s training session: “I think there are some clear favourites out there.
“I think England is one of them, so I think every single one of you should put pressure on the English lads!”
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Haaland admitted that this World Cup knockout fixture will be a game with a difference, given his unique connection to England and English football.
“It’s a special game, definitely,” he said.
“I think for me it’s super special because I play in England and I’m born in England and you also play against team-mates and everything.
“So it’s a bit, not weird, but it’s a funny game and it’s going to be nice.”
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Haaland admitted he was not expecting Norway to be in the position where they are potentially 90 minutes away from a place in the last four of the World Cup.
“I definitely didn’t expect this at all,” he said.
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“I said it plenty of times before – even before the Brazil game I didn’t expect – and I didn’t expect us to be in the quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup. It’s quite surprising even for me.
“I enjoy so many things. First of all, just to be able to play in the World Cup is just an honour and a huge goal for me in my career.
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“To be able to be here and play on the biggest stage with my Norwegian friends against the best teams in the world is really special.
“Playing Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians and to win against Brazil and to go and play England in the quarter-finals in the World Cup in USA is quite special.
“I think if you watch the scenes back in Norway [you can see] it’s not normal for Norway.”