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Norway striker Erling Haaland believes England are one of the outright favorites to win the World Cup, and has urged the media with a smile to put as much pressure on them as possible in the lead-up to their quarter-final meeting on Saturday.
Norway has not competed in a World Cup since 1998, but reached the last eight for the first time after finishing second in Group I before beating Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout stages.
England have reached at least the quarter-finals in the last three men’s World Cups, but have not reached the final since winning the competition in 1966.
“I think there are some clear favourites, England being one of them,” said Manchester City striker Haaland.
Speaking to reporters, he added: “I think you all should put every single bit of pressure on the English boys.”
Haaland, 25, has scored in each of his last 14 competitive games for Norway, and will look to continue that run against the country of his birth – he was born in Leeds while his father played for Leeds United – when they meet at Foxborough on Saturday (22:00 BST).
When Haaland appeared on the cover of Time magazine last year, he said that Norway had a 0.5% chance of winning the World Cup.
But seven goals in four games for Haaland – including a double to send Brazil out of the last 16 – helped Norway into the last eight.
“I didn’t expect it. To be honest, being in the quarter-finals with Norway at the World Cup was quite a surprise for me too.”
“It was kind of crazy for us Norwegians to play against Brazil and to win against Brazil and then play against England in the quarter-finals at the World Cup in the USA is pretty special.
“I think if you look at the scenes in Norway, it’s not normal for Norway to have this, so it’s very special.”
Haaland’s popularity in the United States grew during the tournament, partly due to his personality and off-field exploits, as well as his goals.
Hours after the last 32 winner against Ivory Coast, Haaland went to Dallas to buy a cowboy hat and boots.
He filmed the trip for his YouTube channel, and the video garnered more than six million views in five days.
“It’s a good thing because I like Americans, I think they’re kind of funny too. They’re funny, so I like them,” he said.
“I think it’s just great. To be honest, everything about the World Cup so far has been amazing. From the games to the stadium, everything has been amazing.
“The place we trained was amazing, so I’m very happy and it’s impressive.”
