Erling Haaland makes Jude Bellingham feelings clear after World Cup showdown
Ex-Borussia Dortmund team-mates Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham went head-to-head in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday night, as England beat Norway in Miami
Erling Haaland has launched a passionate defence of former team-mate Jude Bellingham - and hopes that England will win the World Cup. Haaland's Norway suffered an agonising 2-1 defeat to England in Miami on Saturday after their quarter-final clash went to extra-time.
The Norwegians had taken the lead in the first half of normal time before Bellingham scored twice to turn the game on its head and send England through to face Argentina. Bellingham's place in the squad was remarkably a doubt in the months leading up to the World Cup, with Thomas Tuchel having left him out of his squad in October.
But with six goals to his name after as many games, the Real Madrid midfielder has more than justified his inclusion. Haaland can't fathom the criticism that Bellingham has faced, having played alongside him at German club Borussia Dortmund.
"Jude is a good friend," the Manchester City striker hailed post-match. "We had two good years together in Dortmund, we keep in touch and he's such a good guy. We had so much fun together.
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"I'm not surprised that he scored two goals and performs the way he does. The only thing is that sometimes he gets a bit too much criticism because he doesn't score enough goals or whatever.
"He doesn't deserve that because he's one of the best in the world and he's a midfielder who still scores goals and he still managed to dribble past every single player on the field.
"So it's just praise for Jude. He's unbelievable. England and Real Madrid are lucky because everybody would want a Jude in their team."
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Haaland was subbed off by manager Stale Solbakken at half-time in extra-time. The 25-year-old was suffering from fatigue and a dead leg.
Asked if he's now rooting for England to win the tournament, Haaland replied: "Yeah, why not? I have a few City lads in the England squad, one in France's and one in Spain's.
"Of course, I want England to do well because it's a nice country and it's a nice shirt. I got an England jersey before I got a Norway jersey when I was young."
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