Norway star Erling Haaland has tried to fire up England ahead of the teams’ World Cup quarter-final on Sunday, claiming “every bit of pressure” is on the Three Lions to end their 60-year title drought.
Haaland has scored seven goals in the four matches he played in the United States, including two goals that sent Brazil into the round of 16.
Born in England when his father, Alf Inge Haaland, was playing for Leeds United, the centre-forward admitted it was “surprising” to still be in the competition, after last year giving Norway a 0.5 per cent chance of becoming world champions.
On the contrary, he rates England as one of the “clear favourites” to lift the trophy in New Jersey this month.
“I think you all have to put pressure on the England lads,” Haaland told reporters at the Inter Miami CF Stadium.
Haaland, 25, could find himself in direct conflict in Miami with England’s back four, who has three of his Manchester City team-mates in Marc Guehi, John Stones and Nico O’Reilly, with centre-back Guehi struggling to overcome a hamstring problem.
