Norway striker Erling Haaland has stated that the pressure lies squarely with England as the two nations prepare to face each other in a World Cup quarter-final match. Haaland, who was born in Leeds, encouraged journalists to intensify the scrutiny on Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Norway’s journey to the quarter-finals marks a significant achievement, as the team had not participated in a World Cup since 1998. Their current campaign saw them finish second in Group I before securing victories against Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout stages, reaching the final eight for the first time in their history.
In contrast, England has consistently reached at least the quarter-finals in the past three men’s World Cups, though they have not advanced to the final since their victory in 1966. Haaland, a Manchester City player, identified England as one of the clear favorites in the tournament.
When asked about the pressure, Haaland remarked, “Yes, definitely. I think there’s some clear favourites out there, England’s one of them.” He further added, “I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads. Yeah, they [England fans] should be confident of progressing, definitely. It’s England.”
The upcoming match holds particular significance for Haaland, who has scored in each of his past 14 competitive games for Norway. He will aim to extend this impressive run against the country of his birth when the teams meet in Miami.
Haaland previously suggested that Norway had a low probability of winning the World Cup. However, his performance, including seven goals in four appearances and a double against Brazil in the last 16, has been instrumental in Norway’s unexpected progression.
“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,” Haaland commented. He described playing against Brazil as “kind of crazy” for Norwegians and noted that facing England in the quarter-finals in the USA is “quite special.”
The striker also highlighted the unusual nature of Norway’s success for his home country. “I think if you watch the scenes back in Norway, this is not normal for Norway to be, so it’s super special.”
Haaland’s popularity in the United States has grown during the tournament, attributed to both his on-field performance and his off-field personality. After scoring the winning goal against Ivory Coast in the last 32, he was seen shopping for cowboy hats and boots in Dallas, an outing he documented for his YouTube channel, which garnered millions of views.
“It’s a good thing because I like the Americans, I think they are kind of hilarious as well. They are funny, so I like the way they are,” he said. He expressed satisfaction with the World Cup experience in the USA, praising the games, stadiums, and training facilities.
Other videos show Haaland attending the Stanley Cup final in North Carolina and leading his teammates in a “Viking row” celebration after their victory over Brazil. He emphasized the importance of enjoying the moment: “I like to joke a little bit and I like to have fun. I think that’s a key to for my daily life to joke around and of course train good, of course focus well and prepare well but you also need to joke around and you need to enjoy the moment.”
Historical Context of Norway vs. England
The upcoming match rekindles memories of a historic encounter between Norway and England on 9 September 1981. In a World Cup qualifier, Norway defeated England 2-1, a result famously celebrated by Norwegian radio commentator Bjørge Lillelien.
Lillelien’s commentary, which included a direct address to then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has become part of Norwegian folklore. He proclaimed, “We have beaten England! England, the birthplace of giants!” before listing prominent English figures and declaring, “Your boys took a hell of a beating!”
At the time, England had experienced a challenging period, with losses to several other nations in 1981 and the preceding year. Norway, on the other hand, had not qualified for a major tournament since the 1938 Olympics, making their victory against England particularly significant.
The strong connection between Norway and English football dates back to November 1969, when the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK began showing live matches from the English first division during the winter months. This tradition fostered a deep appreciation for English football among Norwegians.
Øyvind Alsaker, who will commentate on Saturday’s match for Norwegian broadcaster TV2, recalled growing up with these televised games. “You would run outside and pretend to be Keegan and Toshack and all of these heroes,” he said. This exposure led many Norwegians to develop emotional ties to various English clubs, even less prominent ones.
Gabriel Høyland, Haaland’s great uncle and a former Norway international, is a committed Burnley supporter. Kasper Wikestad, who commentated on Norway’s recent win against Brazil, is a Norwich fan. Wikestad described England as a “promised land” for Norwegian football enthusiasts, admiring the atmosphere, chants, and star players.
Lillelien, known for making even dull games exciting, became particularly animated during the 1981 match. When Phil Neal fouled Tom Lund, Lillelien called Neal “a pig.” As the final whistle approached, he expressed frustration with the referee’s perceived delay before erupting in celebration when Norway secured the 2-1 victory.
Today, the fascination with English football continues in Norway, with many young players aspiring to play in England. Alsaker noted that three generations of Norwegians have been deeply influenced by English football. He expressed the profound significance of the upcoming quarter-final: “Norway-England, of all things. A week ago, we thought that it couldn’t get bigger than Norway-Brazil, but there you go.”
The match on Saturday will be played in Miami.
Source: bbc.co.uk
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