By Toby TAIWO
Erling Haaland of Norway is looking forward to facing England, the land of his birth, in the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
It is extra special to him as he aims to extend Norway’s historic run into the last four.
In his first major international tournament the Manchester City striker has propelled his country to the last eight by scoring seven times in four appearances, including a memorable double to beat Brazil in the last 16.
Haaland was born in England as his dad Alfe Inge Haaland was playing for Leeds at the time and has spent the last four seasons at City where he has become the poster boy of the Premier League.
“It’s a special game, yeah, definitely. I think for me it’s super special, because I play in England and I was born in England, and you also play against team-mates and everything,” Haaland told reporters in Miami. “It’s a funny game and it’s gonna be nice.”
In their first World Cup for 28 years, Norway have surpassed all expectations thanks to Haaland’s killer instinct in front of goal.
“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,” he added.
“Playing against Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians and to win against Brazil and then go and play England in the quarter-finals in the World Cup in the USA is quite special.
“I think if you watch the scenes back in Norway, this is not normal for Norway to be, so it’s super special.”
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England, by contrast, are in the quarter-finals for a third consecutive World Cup, but have not won a major tournament for 60 years.
Haaland was keen to put the pressure on the Three Lions, who were considered among the pre-tournament favourites.
“I think there’s some clear favourites out there, England’s one of them,” said Haaland. “I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads.”
