Haaland believes England are favorites against Norway in the World Cup
According to Soccernews.
Context
Erling Haaland, one of Norway's top strikers, is on a remarkable run, scoring in his last 14 games for the national team. He is also the only player to have found the net in all four of his World Cup matches so far, totaling seven goals. His performance will be key to Norway's chances against England, who have historically performed well against the Norwegians.
Why this matters
The match between England and Norway in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup is crucial for both teams. For Norway, it is a historic opportunity, having not participated in a World Cup since 1998, while England are looking to reaffirm their status as one of the powerhouses of world football. The victory could guarantee a place in the semi-finals and increase the teams' confidence for the rest of the tournament.
Main conclusions
- Haaland believes England are favorites against Norway in the World Cup.
- Erling Haaland stated that England are the favorites to beat Norway in the World Cup, highlighting the pressure on the English and the importance of the game in Miami.
- Erling Haaland remains central to England's plans.
Erling Haaland is not sparing with provocations ahead of the duel between Norway and England, stating that the English are "clear favorites" to win in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, which will take place this Saturday in Miami. This is a historic moment for Norway, which has not participated in a World Cup since 1998, and expectations are high for the clash, which could guarantee a place in the semi-finals for the winner.
Historically, the two teams have faced each other 12 times, with England coming out on top in the majority of clashes. The last time they met was in September 2014, when the English won 1-0 in a friendly. So far, Norway have managed just two wins against England, with three draws and seven defeats, and have failed to score in any of their last four meetings.
Haaland, who is coming off an impressive performance with the Norwegian national team, has scored in his last 14 competitive matches for the team, totaling 27 goals. He has also excelled at the World Cup, being the only player to score in all four of his matches so far, taking his total to seven goals in the tournament. It is interesting to note that the last player to score in his first five World Cup matches was Colombia's James Rodríguez in 2014.
Despite his exceptional performance, Haaland does not hesitate to recognize the strength of his opponent. During a press conference, he commented: "I think everyone should remain humble, but they should also be confident that they can definitely move forward. There are certain favourites, and England is one of them. So each of you must put pressure on the English players!"
The stats are on par with Haaland's prediction, with Opta's supercomputer predicting an England victory in regulation time with a 50.1% chance.chance, while the chances of a Norway win within 90 minutes are 25.5%. However, England have a worrying record of eliminations in knockout games, having been eliminated in five of their last six matches against European teams, including three in a row. The last of these defeats came at the 2022 World Cup, when they lost to France 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
"It's a special game, without a doubt," added Haaland, who was born in England and is one of the Premier League's stars. "For me, it's super special because I play in England, and also because I was born there. Playing against teammates makes it a bit fun and interesting. It's going to be a good game."
England, who had an intense and exhausting game against Mexico in the round of 16, will have to deal with the suspension of Jarell Quansah, who was sent off in the previous match. Dan Burn, who came on as a substitute in the match against Mexico, showed his defensive strength, making six tackles in just 26 minutes of play and commented on the challenge of facing Haaland: "I like playing against Erling from a physical point of view. I'm prepared and happy for it, but I also know that we have other quality defenders who are ready for the game too."
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What happens next
The clash will take place this Saturday in Miami, and expectations are high, especially for Erling Haaland, who has stood out with the Norwegian national team. With an impressive performance, Haaland hopes to contribute to a possible victory, but recognizes England's strength. The result of the game could directly impact the trajectory of both teams in the 2026 World Cup.
Frequently asked questions
What did Erling Haaland say about the game between England and Norway?
Erling Haaland says England are 'clear favourites' to win their World Cup quarter-final clash.
When will the match between England and Norway take place?
The game will take place this Saturday in Miami.
Why is Norway in the spotlight at this World Cup?
Norway had not participated in a World Cup since 1998, making this a historic moment for the team.
What are the historical statistics between England and Norway?
Historically, the two teams have faced each other 12 times, with England winning most of the clashes.
How many goals has Haaland scored in the World Cup so far?
Haaland has scored seven goals in the World Cup so far, being the only player to score in all four of his matches.
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