By David AFOLABI
Norway striker Erling Haaland is playing a mind game ahead of the quarter-final clash with England.
Newsafric.com reports that he insisted Norway’s chances of winning the World Cup remain “really low,” and said all of the pressure is on England ahead of Saturday’s quarterfinal in Miami.
Haaland, who has scored seven goals in five appearances to fire Norway into the last eight for the first time, said Thomas Tuchel’s side should embrace their status as one of the tournament favourites.
“Really low, still,” Haaland said, when asked to rate Norway’s chances of a historic trophy win.
“I think there’s some clear favourites out there, England’s one of them. I think all of you [reporters] should put every single pressure on the English lads,” he said with a chuckle.
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The Manchester City man, who was born in Leeds, added: “It’s a special game, 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 teammates and everything.
“It’s a funny game, and it’s going to be nice.”
When asked if England supporters should “stay humble” — in reference to a jibe the forward made in a Premier League match against Arsenal in September 2024 — he said: “I think everyone should stay humble.
“They should be confident of progressing definitely, it’s England.”
But when asked if all of the pressure is on the Three Lions, he responded with a concise: “Yeah, definitely.”
