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England midfielder Harry Kane called Erling Haaland a “machine” but said he is a “monster” for Norway’s number 9 and a different set of players as they prepare to face them. World Cup quarterfinal.
“I think we’re completely different players. I know we’re both fighters, but we’re in two different positions,” Kane told his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Haaland has scored seven times in his first four games at a major tournament, including a brace to eliminate Brazil, and his goals have sent Norway into the last eight for the first time.
Kane is just one goal behind Manchester City’s leading scorer in the competition and has taken his World Cup tally to 14 goals.
“Erling is amazing, his goalscoring record, his physicality, his mechanics, he’s a beast. His finishing is at the highest level, and his goals speak for themselves.
“I see myself as a different player, even though I score the same goals. I like to touch the ball a little more, to be more involved in the game, and I can play as a number nine.
“I don’t think it’s a way to compare ourselves. I have a lot of respect for him as a player and as a professional. Obviously, I hope he’s quiet tomorrow, but I think all his performances are very good. He’s an amazing player.”
‘Amazing World Player Championship’
Despite their goalscoring haul, Haaland and Kane trail Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who scored eight times in the 2026 tournament, in the battle for the Golden Boot.
Kane won the top goalscorer award at the 2018 World Cup, but England missed out on glory as they crashed out in the semifinals to Croatia.
Ending England’s 60-year wait to win a major tournament is Kane’s main goal, but he hopes to score goals to take the Three Lions to glory.
“I think it’s been an amazing World Cup so far in terms of all the top strikers, all the goalscorers and the impact games. It’s not always like that at these big tournaments,” added the Bayern Munich striker.
“This is a great competition, it puts me in the mindset to be at the best level I can be.
“My main goal is to win the World Cup more than another Golden Boot, but I also know that I am a goalscorer, I am number 9, so if I am scoring goals, it will help the team.”
Kane gave a huge shout for his best effort to break a streak that would have been three games in eight days to make the record.
“In the end, until we win this cup, there will always be issues in England and the team, but we are in a good place. We are in the place we wanted to be six weeks ago when we met for camp,” he added.
“We are now in the last eight days of the final push. We need everyone to do their best to make our dream come true.”
The Vikings are preparing for another historic game
Meanwhile, the Norwegian coach, Stale Solbakken, said that the conflict between Haaland and Kane will play a big role in deciding the game.
“I think it’s Norway against England, but I don’t think it’s a secret that Kane is the match winner for England and Haaland is the match winner for us,” Solbakken said at a pre-match press conference in Miami.
Norway are in their first major tournament of any kind for 26 years and have exceeded expectations, especially in their stunning 2-1 win over Brazil thanks to Haaland’s late double in the last 16.
“Every game has been very important (in history) for Norwegian football, especially in the knock-out games, so this is the third time it’s the most important game,” added Solbakken.
“I think England have more parties than us, but we also put pressure on our game. When the game starts, I don’t think the players think too much about the pressure when it’s 11 against 11.”
Norway’s progress has drawn attention at home and across the Atlantic in the United States.
The celebration of their Viking fans has become one of the most famous images of the tournament, while Haaland’s status as a world star has risen thanks to his ability to score goals on the pitch and his fun personality.
“I think the whole of Norway is looking forward to tomorrow. We have had great nights in the World Cup before, and it brings the country together,” Solbakken said.
“Maybe this will not come again in Norway because I think we will reach more. We always (now) have the opportunity to go to the European Championship or the World Cup.
