As stated in a report from Metro Sport, on Friday, July 10, 2026, an England player has dismissed Erling Haaland’s comment that the Three Lions are “clear favourites” to conquer their World Cup quarter-final match against Norway, labeling the statement as mere “mind games”.
Ahead of Saturday’s match in Miami, Nico O’Reilly stated that England is not making any assumptions, even with the prevalent expectations surrounding Thomas Tuchel’s team.
Haaland, who has been on fire with seven goals in four games, previously tried to place the burden on England.
“There are definitely clear favourites out there, and England is among them,” he said. “So I think everyone should apply all the pressure on the English lads.”
Nonetheless, O’Reilly seemed skeptical. “Yeah, mind games,” he remarked, before giving a more thoughtful evaluation of Norway’s capabilities.
“They are a solid team. They have demonstrated that throughout the entire tournament. It’s not just specific players we need to watch out for; they are strong as a unit.”
Norway has surpassed expectations to make it to the quarter-finals, including a notable victory over Brazil, with Haaland playing a key role in their advancement.
His goal-scoring record ranks him among the leading scorers in the tournament, alongside Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi.
“Erling is Erling,” O’Reilly continued. “We all understand his style. He can find the net, he’s a menace in the box, and a significant danger. But they must deliver him the ball first, as stopping that is key.”
England’s preparations have faced challenges due to various selection issues.
Jarrel Quansah is under suspension, while Declan Rice is in isolation due to illness. Additionally, there are uncertainties regarding Marc Guehi and Reece James because of injuries.
Despite these concerns, O’Reilly feels that keeping Haaland under wraps will be crucial. “If we can keep him silent, we’ve got a genuine opportunity,” he said. “He’s world-class, and he has proven that in every match he’s participated in.”See more
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