Arabic version: هالاند ينقل الضغط إلى إنجلترا قبل ربع نهائي كأس العالم

Norway striker Erling Haaland has claimed that all the pressure is on England ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash scheduled for Saturday. With a smile, he encouraged the media to intensify the pressure on Thomas Tuchel’s squad. According to BBC News, Norway, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, has reached the final eight after finishing second in Group I and beating Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout stage.

Haaland, who has scored seven goals in the tournament, expressed confidence in England’s capabilities, stating, “Yes, definitely” when asked if they are the favorites. He emphasized that England fans should feel confident about progressing in the tournament.

The 25-year-old forward, who was born in Leeds, has been in remarkable form, netting goals in each of his last 14 competitive matches for Norway. His impressive performance includes a double that helped eliminate Brazil in the last 16.

Reflecting on his team’s achievement, Haaland admitted that reaching the quarter-finals is a surprise even for him. He described the victory over Brazil as “kind of crazy” and noted the special nature of facing England in the USA.

Haaland’s popularity in the U.S. has soared during the tournament, partly due to his engaging personality and social media presence. His recent shopping trip in Dallas for cowboy hats and boots garnered over six million views on YouTube within five days. He expressed his enjoyment of the World Cup experience, highlighting the amazing atmosphere and facilities.

As the match approaches, Haaland’s comments have sparked discussions about potential mind games. England’s Nico O’Reilly acknowledged Haaland’s prowess but emphasized that Norway is a well-rounded team with multiple threats. England assistant Anthony Barry also recognized Norway’s strengths, indicating that they are deserving competitors at this stage of the tournament.