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Saturday’s quarterfinal match between England and Norway features the world’s most prolific forwards: Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
So who is better? Javier Hernández and Peter Schmeichel of FOX Sports divided their votes recognizing the quality of both players.
“Harry Kane,” Hernandez said. “The difference is small. They are both incredible strikers, but I definitely want a complete player like Harry Kane on my team. We saw that play against my home country. The way he played, the way England played, England are improving every day. What Erling Haaland has done at his age is just incredible.”
At 25 years old, Haaland has scored 62 goals in 54 games for Norway. For Manchester City, Haaland recorded 27 goals and eight assists in 35 Premier League games last season. Schmeichel, although he would like to choose both, his argument leaned towards Norway’s young goalscorer.
“Both,” Schmeichel initially said, before admitting: “I’ll stick with Haaland. The reason is that he’s younger and can play for many, many more years. But I have to say that they are different players and what they do for the team is very different.”
Kane’s six goals and Haaland’s seven in this World Cup lead their teams in this World Cup, putting them firmly in the race for the Golden Boot. Norway reached their first World Cup quarter-final match, while Kane claimed the title as England’s all-time goalscorer in the World Cup against Panama. It has been a historic tournament for both.
Norway’s attack also includes captain Martin Ødegaard and winger Antonio Nusa, both of whom have contributed to their success. Ødegaard has three assists, while Nusa scored one of the best goals of the tournament against Ivory Coast.
Kane has fellow star Jude Bellingham at his side, and the Real Madrid player scored twice against Mexico. Kane is also struggling all over the pitch, producing a great block late in England’s 2-1 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo and also making a defensive change against Mexico when the Three Lions were down to 10 men.
“Whenever they need them,” Schmeichel said, “they’re the guys who bring what they need to the (field). I think Harry Kane is a more versatile player. Erling Haaland is someone who’s just happy to walk around, wait for the ball, and when it comes, he executes.
“Harry goes a little deeper, participates in the game, assists other players and is a much more mature striker in that sense, a very different striker. After that game (against Mexico), I think we all agreed that he is the best striker in the world, Harry Kane.”
