Norway will seek to make history on Saturday by beating England in a 2026 World Cup quarter-final match so as to reach the semi-final for the first time.

The two European countries lock horns at the Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens in Miami, U.S., a contest that pits Harry Kane against Erling Haaland in a mouthwatering battle of elite sharpshooters.

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 to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

Haaland appears to have been enjoying himself ever since he touched down in the United States and began smashing in the seven goals that have carried Norway further than ever before.

Their run, which included eliminating Brazil, has been accompanied by their fans’ joyous rowing celebrations that have turned venues across the U.S. 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, meanwhile, described 25-year-old Haaland as “a beast” but insisted he and the Manchester City striker had contrasting 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. Obviously, I’m hoping he has a quiet day tomorrow, but I think his overall performance is very good.”

Haaland who has scored seven goals in the 2026 World Cup and is one behind Lionel Messi in the battle for the Golden Boot believes that the pressure is all on England leading into their quarter-final meeting and with a smile, called on the media to put as much pressure on Thomas Tuchel’s side as possible.

Norway had not competed at a World Cup since 1998, but have now qualified for the final eight for the first time after finishing second in Group I before beating Ivory Coast in the round of 32 and Brazil in the last 16.

England on the other hand have reached at least the quarter-finals in the past three editions of the FIFA World Cup, but have not made the final since winning the competition in 1966.

When asked if all the pressure is on the Three Lions, former Borussia Dortmund of Germany striker, Haaland said: “Yes, definitely. I think there’s some clear favourites out there, England’s one of them.”

Speaking to journalists, he added: “I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads. Yeah, they [England fans] should be confident of progressing, definitely. It’s England.”

Haaland has found the back of the net in his last 14 competitive games for Norway, and will look to continue that run against the nation of his birth, England, having been born in Leeds, during the summer when his father, Alf-Inge Haaland secured a transfer from Leeds United to Man City.