LOS ANGELES, July 11 — England lock horns with Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Saturday that pits Harry Kane against Erling Haaland in a mouthwatering battle of elite strikers.
The teams are competing to face either reigning champions Argentina or surprise package Switzerland in the semi-finals.
Kane has once again been England’s hero, dragging his teammates through an attritional last-16 meeting with Mexico at the Estadio Azteca that they won 3-2 despite having a man sent off.
The Bayern Munich forward has scored six goals to fire the Three Lions into the quarter-finals.
Haaland, meanwhile, appears to have been enjoying himself ever since he arrived in the United States, smashing in seven goals to carry Norway further than ever before at a World Cup.
Their dream run, which included eliminating Brazil, has been accompanied by their fans’ joyful rowing celebration that has transformed venues across the US into giant human Viking ships.
“Every game has been the most important (in history) for Norwegian football, especially in the knockout rounds, so this is the third time it is the most important game,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said on Friday.
Kane described 25-year-old Haaland as “a beast” but insisted that he and the Manchester City striker have very different styles.
“I see myself as a different player, although I score the same goals,” the England captain, 32, said on Friday.
“I like to maybe touch the ball a little bit more, be involved with the play a little bit more, but also can play as maybe the out-and-out number nine.”
“I don’t think it’s one to compare ourselves. I respect him a lot as a player and as a professional.”
England were boosted by the return to training on Friday of influential trio Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James, who have been recovering from illness and injury.
Coach Thomas Tuchel described their return as “the best news” and said: “We took a big step in our last match, but it was only a step.”
“The next step is to win a quarter-final. The important thing is to look up at what is ahead of us.”
The clash at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium is expected to be a gruelling affair, with temperatures forecast to climb above 40°Celsius (104°Fahrenheit).
Fatigue setting in?
Argentina began their bid to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups with a smooth start.
But since reaching the knockout rounds, cracks have started to appear, with the defending champions pushed to the limit by first-time World Cup participants Cape Verde and then Egypt.
Lionel Messi, who turned 39 during the group stage, remains the South Americans’ talisman, with his brilliance repeatedly rescuing his team from difficult moments.
However, Switzerland, led by midfield general Granit Xhaka, could look to exploit any signs of fatigue when the sides meet at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
“They have very experienced players. They are strong. So it will be a tough opponent, that is for sure,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said on Friday.
Messi will look to add to his record 21 goals across the six World Cups he has played in.
His tally could have been even higher had he converted two penalties, but Scaloni said he would not remove his captain from spot-kick duties.
“It wouldn’t even cross my mind to go and tell him not to (take the next penalty). Let him do whatever he wants,” he said.
On Friday, Spain struck late to beat Belgium 2-1 and book a blockbuster World Cup semi-final against France.
The match in Los Angeles was decided by a goalkeeping error from Belgium’s Senne Lammens, who spilled a shot to allow Mikel Merino to score the winner in the 88th minute.
European champions Spain, who conceded their first goal of the tournament, will now face free-flowing France in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente described the match as “a final before the final” given the quality of both teams. — AFP
