Despite Norway reaching the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1998, striker Erling Haaland has characterized his team's chances of winning the tournament as "really low."
Norway is set to face England in the quarterfinals on Saturday, July 11, at Miami Stadium. The team's progression marks a significant achievement, as they had never previously won a knockout-stage game in the World Cup.
Haaland has been instrumental in Norway's success, scoring seven goals in four matches. He sat out the final group-stage game but returned to help the team secure victories in two knockout-stage matches against Ivory Coast and Brazil.
"I think there’s some clear favorites out there, England’s one of them," Haaland told reporters with a laugh. "I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads."
This is not the first time Haaland has expressed a measured view on Norway's tournament prospects. After a group-stage win against Senegal, he downplayed their chances against France, suggesting that France would likely win that match and potentially the entire tournament.
Haaland acknowledged Norway's historical standing in world football but emphasized that with his current form, the team has had a "fabulous tournament."