Gary Neville warns England of Erling Haaland's threat ahead of Norway clash in World Cup 2026

Gary Neville has stated that England are the favorites against Norway in their World Cup 2026 quarter-final on Saturday, but he cautions against underestimating the impact of Erling Haaland. The match follows England's thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium, where Haaland's Norway also celebrated a historic victory over Brazil.

England's Path to the Quarter-Finals

England secured their place in the quarter-finals with a remarkable performance against Mexico, highlighted by Jude Bellingham's two goals and a penalty from Harry Kane. Despite being reduced to ten men, the Three Lions managed to hold off a determined Mexican side.

Norway, on the other hand, pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating five-time World Cup champions Brazil with Haaland scoring twice, bringing his total to seven goals in the tournament, tying him at the top of the scoring charts alongside Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

Challenges Ahead for England

Neville recognizes the threat posed by Haaland, stating, "It's tough to stop Haaland, because he can be anonymous in matches; he doesn't touch the ball a lot but you know that he's explosive." He praised Haaland's performance against Brazil, noting the quality of his goals and the difficulty in containing him throughout the match.

Despite England's strong showing, Neville emphasized the need for improvement in defensive areas. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a compact formation and being vigilant against Norway's attacking options, which could prove dangerous.

Bellingham's Rising Star

Neville also expressed admiration for Bellingham, who has emerged as a key player for England. He noted that Bellingham's performance against Mexico was exceptional, making him one of the standout players of the tournament. "Bellingham has been unbelievable, along with Harry Kane, but Bellingham has been on another level," Neville remarked.

With the match set for Miami, the stakes are high. England's defensive solidity and ability to manage the threats from Norway will be crucial as they aim to progress further in the tournament. As Neville aptly put it, "It's going to be tough on Saturday, and it would have been tough, obviously, playing Brazil."