How do England stop Erling Haaland?

Summary

The Athletic FC Podcast – July 10, 2026

Episode Title: How do England stop Erling Haaland?
Hosts: Adam Leventhal, Cerys Jones
Guests: Liam Toomey, Sam Lee, Adam Crafton

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Episode Overview

This episode explores England’s looming World Cup quarterfinal with Norway, with a dominant Erling Haaland fresh off a seven-goal run in his debut tournament. The panel discusses Haaland’s footballing and off-pitch persona, breaks down potential tactical approaches to stopping him, and compares the Norwegian striker’s impact with World Cup icons. The conversation also covers France's ongoing dominance, the evolving Golden Boot race, and England’s injury concerns ahead of their clash with Norway.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. France’s Dominance and World Cup Threats

Segment: 02:13–08:52

• France’s Impressive Run:
  • France beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals, continuing their flawless defensive form in the knockouts.
  • Adam Crafton describes France as “incredibly comfortable” and, aside from a brief injury scare for Mbappé, looking “very, very ominous” (03:16).
  • Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé’s partnership likened to the attacking duos of Brazil 2002.
• Can Anyone Stop Them?
  • Liam Toomey and Cerys Jones agree only Spain might match up well, given their ability to control possession and challenge France’s otherwise “complete” midfield and attack.
  • “Defensively, that sort of midfield duo of Rabiot and either Tchouaméni or Koné has done a really good job just shutting down attacks at source.” — Cerys Jones (05:36)
  • France’s defense praised for facing higher-caliber opposition while conceding minimal chances.

Notable Quote:

“Watching this France team through this tournament has given me real Brazil 2002 vibes... This is the best international attack that we’ve seen since that team.”
— Liam Toomey (06:57)

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2. The Golden Boot Race & Haaland’s Historic Debut

Segment: 09:06–14:15

• Record Chases:
  • Mbappé is tied with Messi on eight goals, both chasing the all-time records.
  • Discussion of past legends (Fontaine, original Ronaldo), and whether anyone in this tournament could match their historic tallies.
  • The rarity and excitement of five players scoring five or more goals, evoking the US ’94 tournament.
• Haaland’s Unique Case:
  • Haaland’s seven goals—despite missing a group game against France—considered the “most impressive” considering Norway’s opposition: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Brazil.
  • “He always finds a way. He is inevitable.” — Liam Toomey (13:50)
  • Cerys Jones highlights Haaland’s need for service: “It’s not as simple as trying to man-mark Erling Haaland… it’s about how you cut off his supply lines as well.” (13:33)

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3. Penalty Trends and Evolution

Segment: 14:15–17:16

• Penalty Technique:
  • Analysis of the “staggered” penalty run-up and how goalkeepers are getting better at reading cues from takers.
  • “Keepers are wise to them and keepers are starting to learn the little telltale signs of which way someone’s going to go.” — Cerys Jones (15:45)
• The Psychology & Data:
  • Liam Toomey explains that more homework, analytics, and video reviewing have “levelled the playing field” for goalkeepers.
  • Jeopardy of penalties described as higher than ever, with teams unable to rely on them.

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4. World Cup Striker Icons

Segment: 20:17–22:33

• The hosts and followers debate the "most World Cup striker of all time":
  • Ronaldo (R9) praised for his dramatic World Cup arcs (Toomey's pick).
  • Klose selected by Cerys for his tournament longevity and ability to “deliver for Germany” every time.
• Memorable moment: Host Adam reminisces about Toto Schillaci and the effect of smaller tournaments on scoring opportunities.

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5. England’s Haaland Headache: How to Stop the Viking

Segment: 22:33–29:38

• Sam Lee’s Manchester City Perspective:
  • Initially surprised by Haaland’s leadership: “I didn’t realize this guy was such a leader, such an important figure... He’s been fantastic.” (23:25)
  • Off-pitch persona analyzed; Haaland’s authenticity highlighted by his vlogs and fan engagement: “He does it because he enjoys it. He doesn’t do it for PR purposes.” (24:55)
• Stopping Haaland: Tactical Breakdowns
  • Referencing Liam Tharm’s piece on The Athletic: success is less about man-marking, more about cutting off service.
  • “Playing Saka on the right wing... he can play a very defensive role and stop Norway getting into crossing situations.” — Sam Lee (26:37)
  • Dan Burn floated as an “X-factor” for his physicality; debate over whether direct size is as useful as mobility.
  • “I’m all for going as big as you can against Haaland. Watching... Pacific Rim... that just is Burn versus Haaland for me!” — Liam Toomey (28:56)

Notable Quote:

“With Haaland, I’d be tempted... to just put Dan Burn in for the physical battle... But it’s easy to know his moves, it’s something else to put it into practice.”
— Sam Lee (26:37)

• Biggest Star at the World Cup?
  • Haaland’s off-field charisma capturing U.S. audiences; possibly surpassing even Messi for “sheer marketing impact.”
  • “The demand for Haaland is crazy... people with no interest in sport know who Haaland is. He’s really exploded more than anybody else.” — Sam Lee (29:38)

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6. England’s Preparation: Injury Concerns & Defensive Dilemmas

Segment: 37:04–42:45

• Rice & Guehi’s Fitness:
  • Both key English players doubtful (Rice ill; Guehi with a hamstring issue), which “makes me very, very worried about what Norway could do” if England are left short in midfield — Liam Toomey (38:32).
  • Rice’s ability to shadow Odegaard and break up attacks seen as crucial.
• Defensive Instability:
  • No fixed center-back partnership; right-back woes with Rhys James’s fitness in doubt.
  • England’s back line characterized as “a huge worry,” with Norway’s left-sided threat underscored by Nus and Sheldrup.
  • “I think their attack is as well-balanced as it’s been at any major tournament in my lifetime, honestly. But the defence is a huge worry.” — Liam Toomey (42:45)

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7. Who Will the Neutrals Support?

Segment: 32:55–34:31

• Norway painted as the “neutral’s pick”—underdogs with personality and romance, thanks in part to Haaland’s persona and Norway’s style, compared to a more efficient Swiss team.

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8. Predictions & Final Thoughts

Segment: 34:31–36:02

• England seen as more talented overall, but “Haaland gives you the most puncher of puncher’s chances if you’re Norway.” — Liam Toomey (34:36)
• Both Liam and Cerys narrowly predict an England win, but expect a close and possibly transitional battle.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Mbappé and Dembélé are the first teammates to score five or more goals at a World Cup since Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002.” — Liam Toomey (06:57)
• “He always finds a way. He is inevitable.” — Liam Toomey on Haaland (13:50)
• “He does it because he enjoys it. He doesn’t do it for PR purposes.” — Sam Lee on Haaland’s genuine off-pitch persona (24:55)
• “It’s a real coin flip for me. I think England are the more talented team overall, but Haaland gives you the most puncher of punches chances imaginable.” — Liam Toomey (34:36)
• “When are the neutrals not rooting against England?” — Liam Toomey (33:07)
• “I’m a bit worried about the prospect of going into any game that matters without Declan Rice.” — Liam Toomey (38:32)
• “Rice’s nous and knowledge of what Martin Odegaard can do... is a key sort of, he can always keep an eye on him.” — Adam Leventhal (39:17)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• France match analysis, Golden Boot race: 02:13–14:15
• Penalty discussion: 14:15–17:16
• World Cup striker icons: 20:17–22:33
• How to stop Haaland: 22:33–29:38
• Haaland’s rise as a superstar: 29:38–32:55
• Norway as neutrals’ favorite: 32:55–34:31
• Predictions and England’s defensive dilemmas: 34:31–42:45

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Summary

This episode delivers in-depth, energetic coverage of the top World Cup storylines as England prepare to face Norway’s Erling Haaland. The discussion weaves tactical analysis with player psychology, World Cup lore, and lighthearted debate, offering both rich insight for hardcore fans and fun anecdotes for casual listeners. The panel candidly covers England’s selection problems, the challenge of stopping possibly the tournament’s defining striker, and the shifting dynamics of global football stardom, all while keeping the stakes and storylines accessible and entertaining.

Transcript

[Sam Lee]

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[Cerys Jones]

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[Adam Leventhal]

the Athletic FC. Hi there and welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Adam Levanthal. So the summer of the superhero striker continues. Imperius Mbappe fires France into the final four, equalling Messi for the Golden Boot. For Kane and England, it's Norway and their striking Viking next. But how do you stop Haaland? Well, here with me in the studio, we have the Athletics. Liam Toomey, how are you?

[Liam Toomey]

I'm good, yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

Excellent. Good to have you here once again. And Cerys Jones back again. Ready to go?

[Cerys Jones]

Yes, always. Last one. So here we are, we going to New York and I'm not coming, Adam, you neither.

[Adam Leventhal]

Oh, right, yes, sorry, sorry. I feign surprise, but it is a surprise. But you've been wonderful so far and let's finish off a high. We will talk England against Norway and Haaland, obviously to come. But first, the quarterfinals kicked off with France beating Morocco 20 in Boston. This is Adam Crafton's take.

[Adam Crafton]

So another brilliant France victory. Incredibly comfortable. Two nil winners over Morocco. Kind of as expected, really, if anything, Morocco a little bit disappointing. They just didn't really land a blow, land a glove even on this France team who just get better and better as the tournament goes on. Mbappe missed a penalty, still scored a fabulous goal to break the deadlock. Dembele then scores a fantastic goal as well. One concern for France. Mbappe went off, looked initially like he might have an injury, sort of went down, raised his arm, lay on the floor, started stretching his right leg, had a bit of ice on his right foot while sitting on the substitutes bench. But by the end of the game, he was giving everyone hugs and cuddles, running over to the fans, dancing, and he said that the injury wasn't too bad, so you'd expect him to be fit for the semi final. Spain or Belgium. Away in Dallas for France and who's back against them really for the final. To win the final, it will take something pretty special or unfortunate, really. The talent pool is extraordinary. And just defensively as well. No one's really got near them in the knockout stages. Not conceded a goal in the knockouts. Looking very, very ominous. France, they march on.

[Adam Leventhal]

Indeed they do. And there's a piece on the Athletic right now which you can read basically asking whether they can be stopped. I'll ask you that question. Can they?

[Liam Toomey]

I don't think so. Well, I don't think they will be. They can be. Any team can be beaten in a knockout format and I think if anyone has a chance to take out France, it is Spain. Because of all the remaining teams, Spain have a matchup. That can be difficult for France in terms of the strength of their midfield. It's the one area of France's team where they essentially have two bodyguards in front of that back four. That allows the front four to just go and play. But if Spain are able to keep, and of course Spain have to get past Belgium, we Can't forget. But if they do, they have the ability to keep the ball away from France. I think Spain could only win a close game against France because they have nowhere near as much firepower as this French team do.

[Adam Leventhal]

What do you think, Caris? I mean, Liam said that, you know, any team can be stopped in a, in a knockout game. Do you think that this France team can be.

[Cerys Jones]

Yeah, I would put the same caveat as Liam. As it's knockout football, anything can happen. But I've said throughout that to me, they look like the most complete team. That front four are playing with so much kind of freedom and it's been a real treat to, to see them all allowed to be on the pitch at the same time. My hope is that Didier Deschamps doesn't get nervous looking at Spain and decide to go for a more cautious approach. I don't think he will, but that would be my only kind of concern. Like what they are doing is working and I think all the focus has been on their attack, and rightly so because of how impressive it's been. But defensively, that sort of midfield duo of Rabiot and either Tchouameni or Kone has done a really good job of just shutting down attacks at source. Like, they've not conceded that many shots. And that's not necessarily because teams have been poor against them. It's equally because of how well they've done shutting down attacks before they get to the point of having a shot on goal. So they look really complete, they look really threatening. I'm also really impressed by the fact that they have won so many different types of game now. You know, they have won against sides who have just tried to sit in. They've won against sides where they've had to worry a bit more about the attacking threats, such as against Norway in the group. So they, they don't look like, you know, a one trick show at all. And I think that's what's kind of most worrying for everyone else.

[Liam Toomey]

Mbappe and Dembele are the first teammates to score five or more goals at a World cup since Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002. And I think that that comparison is quite apt because watching this France team through this tournament has given me Real Brazil 2002 vibes. You've got this unbelievable array of talent. I think this is the best international attack that we've seen since that team, since that Brazil team. But as Kerry says, they've got the defense as well. And I think people have been talking about Spain's defense because they haven't conceded a goal yet. But France have faced a higher caliber

[Cerys Jones]

of opponent and have only conceded twice, once against Senegal, once against Norway, and neither of those goals really mattered.

[Liam Toomey]

Yeah, not consequential goals, barely any consequential chances. And I think Saliba and a Panicano, an amazing center back part. Mike Manyan has been extremely well protected, but we know he's a capable goalkeeper as well, so it's hard to spot a weakness.

[Adam Leventhal]

Was it always going to be the case, though, that they weren't going to be genuinely tested up until this point? Because Morocco are the highest ranked side that they faced so far in the tournament? They were seventh, and to be brutally honest, they didn't turn up. I could have said a whole range of different phrases for what Morocco did in that game. It was really disappointing, I'm sure, for the players, for the fans, that they didn't put in as much of a showing as. As they would have wished. But now France can be tested by the teams that we would expect them to be tested by.

[Liam Toomey]

Yeah, I mean, I still feel that Senegal were a pretty good team in their opener. Yeah. And they could have faced a much tougher test, of course, had Norway not just punted that final group game, which I think there may have been some sort of bracket strategy going on from Norway which has clearly paid off for them. Or it might just be another reflection of how ominously strong France are, that a team as good as Norway looks at them and goes, no, no, than thanks.

[Adam Leventhal]

It would have been the ultimate play from Norway to say, you know what, we know that we're going to face them in the final.

[Liam Toomey]

Well, yeah, the West Germany 1954 against Hungary. We don't want to let them see what we've really got. Although everyone's seen Haaland by now.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah. But it'd be pretty cool if they planned it that well. They're that confident they're going under the radar that much. Let's talk about the Golden Boot race. I can sort of. Let's bring you up to speed if you haven't kept tabs exactly on it. Mbappe is now level with Messi on 8, which is the same total as in Qatar. Remember, Mbappe got three in the final, Messi got two in that amazing final, and eight was the highest since Ronaldo, original Ronaldo, in 2002, as Liam was talking about before. Prior to that, Geert Muller 10, Mexico, 1970 and Jus Fontaine 13, the all time record in 1958. Are we looking At a record total. Now, Liam, because I know that you've got a soft spot for Juice Fontaine, you wouldn't want to see that fall by the wayside.

[Liam Toomey]

Yeah. I wrote Fontaine's profile for our soccer 100, which I'd encourage everyone to buy. Not for the Fontaine profile. There are lots of much better profiles

[Adam Leventhal]

in there than mine, actually. Hold on two sec. Can you grab the book off the shelf if you're watching this on YouTube?

[Cerys Jones]

Excellent. The Christmas and birthday present for your dad. My dad sat on the stairs on Christmas Day with our entire family and read his copy of this, which says something potentially about the quality of conversation, but also about how much he enjoyed the book.

[Adam Leventhal]

Well, there you go. Why don't you hand it over to Liam, because.

[Liam Toomey]

Do you want me to read it?

[Adam Leventhal]

No.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

It's quite a long book reading about Jus Fontaine.

[Liam Toomey]

But gather round, everybody.

[Adam Leventhal]

It would be quite something if that record does actually fall, wouldn't it?

[Liam Toomey]

Yeah, it would. And Fontaine's total was astonishing because he got it in six games. And there. There is.

[Adam Leventhal]

I've got some beef with that, but.

[Liam Toomey]

Yeah, I know you're very much in the Fraud Fontaine camp. We'll get to that. I'm not. But he. Yeah, he got 13 in six games, four in the third place playoff. I mean, Cristiano Ronaldo would kill for a stat padding third place playoff at the World Cup. Come on. But there are eight games available to Mbappe to Messi if they make it to the. To the semi, either the final or the third place playoff. So there is a bit of an advantage, but it's a testament to what an incredible record that is, that neither of them will probably make it, because these are the hardest games that lie ahead, certainly the semi and the final. Mbappe's only got two left.

[Sam Lee]

I know.

[Liam Toomey]

He got hat trick last.

[Adam Leventhal]

That's the thing, though.

[Liam Toomey]

So he can never entirely write it off.

[Adam Crafton]

Yeah.

[Liam Toomey]

And if Messi gets five goals in the next three games, Argentina probably won the World cup again.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah.

[Liam Toomey]

So it's. What's amazing about this tournament, I think, in general, is that we've got five players who scored five goals or more. That's the first time that's happened since the World cup was last in the United States in 1994. And it's not just any five players. It's maybe the five biggest names in the tournament, apart from Lamina Mao, who's still got time to make a mark himself. So it really has been more than any other World Cup I can remember a World cup of the Superstars and let's hope it continues into the signature

[Adam Leventhal]

games and the all time totals now are exceptional. Obviously Messi on 21, Mbappe on 20 as well. Harry Kane's still in the mix. He's on 14. Obviously, Haaland, this is his first World Cup. You could probably imagine that he might be the one that some sort of World cup down the line might be able to surpass a total that is set by Bayern Mbappe.

[Cerys Jones]

Yeah, I think he's got so long left to do that and to make the impact that he's made at his first World cup and see the skills that we all knew he had from club level and for what he's done for Norway before this tournament as well. To see that translate across has been amazing. But what I love about this Golden Boot race is that first of all there's no pulling away and coming back. It has just stayed neck and neck because they all keep playing the same day or the day after each other and no one wants to give any ground. And also the fact that they all seem to be taking a very kind of football purist approach of I will not be accused of padding this out with penalties and I'm going to miss my penalties because I feel so strongly about it. But yeah, Haaland, it depends quite a lot obviously on the service that he gets against England as to whether he can add to his tally and how much. We know that he can make that impact, but he can't necessarily do it on his own. A lot of it does come from both his service from out wide and also kind of what they can create through the middle of the pitch. So we'll come on to talking about it in a lot more detail. But it's not as simple as trying to man Mark Erling Haaland out of the game. It's about kind of how you cut off his supply lines as well.

[Liam Toomey]

Well, Haaland's goal tally is arguably the most impressive of all of them because he missed an entire game against France. So he's had 90 fewer minutes and the games that he's played, he's played against Senegal, Ivory coast and Brazil. I think those are three of the toughest games that any of those top scorers have played. And he's just, he always finds a way. He is inevitable.

[Adam Leventhal]

And just a final word on penalties, because obviously you mentioned that and I try not to use the word that is often used associated with it because I know that it does cause offense to people who do actually suffer from stammers and stutters and things like that. So I'm not going to call them that.

[Cerys Jones]

Staggered, staggered runner.

[Adam Leventhal]

Does that. Have we seen the sort of. The death of that sort of penalty or is it going to still persist and players are still going to do it?

[Cerys Jones]

It depends a lot on where. I did a piece a while back looking at Cole Palmer's penalties and spoke to experts about how you can do it. Two ways. You can either do it goalkeeper independent or goalkeeper dependent. Right. And I think the staggered ones that we tend to see are goalkeeper dependent when they're trying to see which way the keeper's going to go and pick based on that. Whereas the issue is now goalkeepers are getting so wise to this. I think Bono, who saved the penalty from Mbappe from Morocco last night, his little tactics that he employs, like his movements on the line, he is clearly wise to the strategies that takers are trying to employ.

[Liam Toomey]

Well, he saved the penalty from Somerville where he didn't even dive, he just shuffled across his line and punched it away from a standing position when Somerville went for the top left corner. That shows when you see that he saved from him and Mbappe, two completely different penalties. He's doing his homework on these takers and their tendencies. Because if Somerville had taken the penalty like Mbappe, he would have seen what Bono was doing and could have just gone the other side. But he's obviously not a goalkeeper dependent taker.

[Cerys Jones]

Yeah, bang on. And I think that's the, that's the issue with the staggered run ups now is that keepers are wise to them and keepers are starting to learn the little, the little telltale signs of which way someone's going to go. Like I spoke to someone who spoke about, like, it's the way the ankle turns can kind of be the point and it's something, something as specific as that. It's incredible. If they can spot that from 12 yards away and make the decision of which way to go quickly enough to take that into account. I don't know that they're going to die off, but I do think that we might see an increase in players deciding to actually just leather it as hard as they can, which I personally don't mind.

[Liam Toomey]

I actually think we're in a really cool place with where penalties are the evolution of them. Because goalkeepers have never been more aware of how to combat different types of penalty. The odds are stacked against you as a goalkeeper from a penalty. We know this statistically, but they've managed to level the playing field somewhat with the amount of homework that they can do. All of these takers have years of penalties on wy scout or whatever that these goalkeepers their analysts. I interviewed Christophe Lolashan who worked with Petr Cechek for a long time a couple of weeks ago and he was talking about the work they did in the run up to Munich 2012. So this is a long term trend at the elite level of football and we're seeing it in the World cup and I think it's really, really good because when a team gets a penalty now there's a level of jeopardy I think far in excess what there ever was before.

[Adam Leventhal]

We haven't seen Ivan Toney take a penalty in this World cup yet and we may well need it to happen. And we don't mind how he takes penalty.

[Liam Toomey]

I think that's the goalkeeper irrelevant technique

[Adam Leventhal]

that he practices exactly. Just hold my beer. I've got this. Don't worry.

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[Sam Lee]

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[Adam Leventhal]

Let's move on now to our discussion of the day sponsored by Threads. And last night we asked our Threads followers who is the most World cup striker of all time? Now for me, growing up, my first World cup that I really, really got into, I enjoyed 86, sort of peripherally. 86. Imagine that Keri 86, 19861990 Toto Scalacci scored 6 and was sort of an iconic player for Italy. But it has to be said that was a World cup with half as many teams and therefore half as many games and opportunities to score. Who was your pick most World cup striker of all time?

[Liam Toomey]

The one for me growing up was the original Ronaldo. Yes, not just for the volume of goals and the quality and the variety of goals that he scored at World cup, but also because he had the grand narrative. He had the the phenomenal showing in 98 and then the no show in the final and then the redemption arc in 2002 that was so satisfying to to watch and then the kind of, you know, glorious Swan song in 2006. So he he was just eminently watchable regardless of the stage of his World cup career.

[Adam Leventhal]

He was at Mr. Spooniverse agrees with you. They went with Ronaldo. R9 Talby 76 went with Scalachi. How about you Keris?

[Cerys Jones]

Yeah, a lot of our Threads followers went with the same as me with Miroslav Klose, which not an original shout. We all know about his goal tally and we've heard so much about it this tournament. But I think what makes him kind of the most World cup striker, even though his goals were not by any means. Only in World Cups, it felt like to the rest of the world he sort of dropped off the radar outside of these tournaments. And then every time he could show up and deliver for Germany and obviously the 2014 World cup being a great example of that. So he was my pick. I think I've got three in front of me, agreeing with me. Paul said, not even closer. Very good. Appreciate that very much so, yeah, for the sort of not only the volume but also the fact that those World cup goals were such a defining element of his career and of his profile. He's my pick.

[Adam Leventhal]

Thank you for your suggestions, both of you. For your chance to feature in the next discussion of the day feature, head over to Threads, Follow the Athletic FC and join the conversation. Now, speaking of elite strikers at the World Cup, England had the scary prospect of facing an inform Erling haaland on Saturday. Seven goals in four matches in his debut World cup, including two in the round of 16 against Brazil. Now the Athletics Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee joins us now. Now you've watched plenty of Haaland, you've got a great piece on the Athletic right now about his journey in Manchester, which everyone can read, and we'll talk about his off pitch Persona in a second. But performance wise, are you surprised by how much he's been able to take this World cup by storm?

[Sam Lee]

Yeah, funnily enough, I was asked this question after two group stage games and at that point I said yes. So he'd only scored four goals then, but I said, look, I know he scores a lot of goals for City and the team is perfectly set up for him to score those goals. And I know that Norway have qualified for this tournament because they're a very good team and because Norway have a system that the suits Harland as well. But going to the World cup is still another big, huge step and it's, it's something that Norway haven't done since 1998. So I was surprised at that point. And then obviously, if you think about obviously the winner against Ivory coast, but particularly the two goals against Brazil when he, when he lashed in that second one, the thought that came into my head was I don't think I, I realized how good he is. And obviously I watch him all the time at City and I know why he doesn't touch the ball a lot and I know how to not I don't know how to get the best out of him, but I kind of know how teams do. But even so, I thought, I didn't realize this guy was such A leader, such a important figure. Yeah, it's been fantastic.

[Cerys Jones]

We all know that Erling Haaland's goal record is ridiculous, but he's a massive personality as well. He launched his YouTube channel last October, which now has over 2.6 million subscribers. He's surprised fans by turning up at their houses in Halloween fancy dress. He's been vlogging from the World cup in a time where players are so well media trained and some of them are pretty boring. He really stands out, doesn't he?

[Sam Lee]

Yeah, he does. And for me it's the things like going to fans houses to surprise kids and things like that. Because you could do like the video blogs from the World cup just for kind of PR purposes, you know, here's a bit of a glimpse behind the curtain. It improves my reputation, this kind of thing, but I think those extra ones where he's out with the public and he's enjoying it, like the way we saw him in the tunnel before the Brazil game, speaking to the mascots. He does it because he. He enjoys it. He doesn't do it for PR purposes. He doesn't do it. So people think, oh, what a great guy. He does it because he's just a guy who likes to have fun and that's his side of it coming out and you can see that in those videos. So, yeah, there's all sorts on that YouTube channel. But, yeah, one of the driving factors for him, for the people around him, is because they knew that people just thought he was a bit of a robot who scored goals and didn't have much personality. But for him also, he wanted to kind of show people that he's not the guy who had the reputation when he came to England for just giving kind of short, grumpy answers. So he was conscious of that. And yeah, he's put loads of different content on there because he wants to show people inside a superstar's life. Basically. When he was growing up, he thought it would have been great to see inside the lives and routines of these great footballers that he used to admire. So he's trying to provide that experience and as far as I can tell, it's completely genuine.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, it's been quite a transformation for him. I mean, obviously now England's priority is trying to stop him. How they do that, we're not quite sure. If you were Thomas Tuchel, what would you do? Obviously, John Stones and Mark Gahey, albeit he's got a little bit of a doubt against his name now, they've had to deal with him in training, haven't they?

[Sam Lee]

Well, I'll just read Liam Tharm's article on the Athletic. Not if I was Thomas Tuchel, because I'm sure he'll have even better ideas. But. But for my answer, I'll just copy what he's saying. Basically, a lot of it involves kind of going man to man in the press against Norway to stop that service playing sacchar on the right wing if he's fit enough because he can help track back we've seen with Arsenal. He can play a very defensive role and he can stop Norway getting into crossing situations on overlaps and underlaps. This is all in Liam's article. It's really good. Not just because I work for the company, but I would recommend people go and, and read it if they want to have an idea of how to. How to go. The thing is, with Harland, like, I'd be kind of tempted from an England point of view to just to put Dan Byrne in for the physical battle. And it's not because Byrne gets the better of Harland. Burn enjoys that physical battle, Harland enjoys that physical battle. But it just feels like Byrne at least is used to it. And I know there's Stones and Gay at City who are kind of used to, to training against Haaland and know his moves and the things he likes to do, but it's easy enough to know them, but it's something else to put it into practice. And I just feel like Byrne, if, if Norway were to go more direct to him, could be a weapon. But of course, if they're just going to wait and put crosses in, then it's going to be more about stopping those crosses. Press high and use somebody like Saka to stop the overlaps.

[Adam Leventhal]

Let's just get the take of the guys in the, in the studio on big Dan Byrne. It could work, couldn't it?

[Cerys Jones]

I am a very kind of strong purist for Mark. A big man with a big man, as long as it's a big mobile man. But, you know, the record is, is quite impressive as well. So I've got here from a piece that our colleagues did earlier in the week. Haaland's made 10 appearances for City against Newcastle, eight of those when Burns started, and he's only scored once, although in half of those games Burn was playing at full back. So there's an element of, you know, that that record can be a little bit, bit skewed in terms of how much he actually directly nullifies Haaland. I think England needs someone to go kind of touch Tight and mark him. I don't know what Liam thinks. Weatherburn's the best person to do that or not. We've only seen him in a very limited capacity this World cup, so I'm genuinely quite torn. I probably wouldn't start him.

[Adam Leventhal]

It's a mobility point, doesn't it?

[Cerys Jones]

Yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

What do you reckon?

[Liam Toomey]

I'm all for going as big as you can against Haaland. I remember watching, did you see the movie Pacific Rim a few years ago?

[Adam Leventhal]

I haven't seen it, but that doesn't mean everyone where they had like the,

[Liam Toomey]

these Godzilla sized Kaijus and they built these massive robots to fight against them. And that just is Byrne versus Heartland for me. I'd love to see it at the World Cup. Okay, cool.

[Adam Leventhal]

I like it. So pick Dan Byrne. Thomas Tuchel. Sam, just back to you. Considering the factors that we've spoken about, the goal scoring ability, plus the big personality of Haaland and the fact that he's blossoming, you know, day after day, is he the World Cup's biggest star at the moment, do you think?

[Sam Lee]

For me, the biggest star is still Messi, but I think marketing wise and from what I'm hearing, what I can see for myself from America and what I'm hearing from the people around Harland, the demand for Harland is crazy. People in the States who are city fans have sent me messages saying people they know who have got no interest in sport, let alone football, know who Haaland is. They, they like him, they want to know more about him. So I think in that sense, yeah, he's really exploded more than anybody else. And that is even taking into account the fact that Messi's had a huge impact on American, I was going to say American football, but you know, I mean, soccer, football in America, since he went to Miami. But I do think Haaland, because of the goals he's scoring, because of how he looks, because of how he plays, because of that personality that you can see off the pitch. Not that Mbappe doesn't have that, of course, because Mbappe's got a very kind of confident personality and he's happy to stand up for what he believes in, which I think is great, but for various different reasons. Harlan's captured the imagination more than anybody else, as far as I can tell.

[Adam Leventhal]

Brilliant. Sam, thank you very much indeed. Secretly hope we don't have to talk to you again about how well Haaland's doing at the World Cup. I'll be brutally honest, but I'm sure we will check in with you once again. So, Liam, you have been one of the rankers of the.

[Liam Toomey]

Of the World cup, an absolute ranker.

[Adam Leventhal]

In the latest one, top 50 World cup players, where did you put Haaland after the round of 16?

[Liam Toomey]

Number four, which may be controversial. Some people might have him higher. I only had Messi Mbappe and Harry Kane above him. I think people would probably be split on whether you have Harry Kane or Erling Haaland third. I don't think the top two is very controversial.

[Adam Leventhal]

What's the sort of the criteria?

[Liam Toomey]

Well, it's informed by the athletics player ratings model.

[Adam Crafton]

Yeah.

[Liam Toomey]

But it's. You've also got to weight things like strength of opponent and, you know, other variables that sometimes statistical models don't necessarily sort of.

[Cerys Jones]

Vibes.

[Liam Toomey]

Vibes? Well, yeah, I mean, I can, as a human take vibes on board when I'm. When. When I'm sort of finalizing these rankings. And vibes wise, he's probably the strongest of. Of all those top players.

[Adam Leventhal]

Harlan's vibes.

[Sam Lee]

Yeah.

[Liam Toomey]

It's kind of his World cup in a lot of ways, isn't it? I mean, he's got a drum.

[Adam Crafton]

Yeah.

[Liam Toomey]

Which the other three guys ahead of him, you know, nothing like that.

[Adam Leventhal]

He's not done any interviews where his voice has been breaking now, has he?

[Adam Crafton]

So.

[Liam Toomey]

No, no. But what I do like, and this goes to what Sam said as well, is that it feels like Harlan's been on a public journey where I remember seeing him getting interviewed in his emergence at Brazil, Dortmund. And it was painful and it, like occasionally funny because it felt like he was doing a bit, but it also felt like he. He was actually almost clamming up in this situation.

[Adam Leventhal]

He didn't know what he was supposed to be doing.

[Liam Toomey]

Yeah. And it led some people, I think, to conclude that he just wasn't a very friendly or personable character, where I think he is a massive personality. And it's been really cool to experience that. And I think what we've seen is the American public have discovered Erling Harland. I think most of them had never heard of him before and now there's just this massive Viking character who's like probably the most compelling character in the World cup and it's been, yeah, really fun.

[Adam Leventhal]

Do you think the Neutrals are going to be rooting for Norway rather than England?

[Cerys Jones]

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I'm watching with 20 Welsh family members and they're not necessarily neutral, but they've already made it very clear that they're rooting for Norway.

[Liam Toomey]

When are the Neutrals not rooting against

[Cerys Jones]

England, but yeah, I mean, they. I would say they are the main underdogs left in this tournament other than Switzerland, but I think they are more entertaining than Switzerland. They have more personalities than Switzerland. They. They play more interesting football. They play better attacking football than Switzerland. Sorry to Switzerland, but yeah, I think they've really captivated kind of the, the crowds, the American imagination with the. With the Viking row, with the drum, with all this sort of thing. And there is a romance to the fact that it's Haaland's first World cup with them and kind of how far they've been able to go with him as the figurehead for that. And his personality, you know, the way that he has taken off with the. Particularly the Orlando typo made me laugh. Sorry. To all the perfect brothers and sisters out there. I might use that one. There's a typo in one of my articles. But yeah, I think they are definitely the neutrals pick. They're the ones for the. They're the underdog for the people whose teams have gone out to root for now, aren't they? Which is a tougher situation situation for. For England to be in.

[Adam Leventhal]

Is it going to be Wonderwall or the Row that's taking center stage after full time, do you think?

[Cerys Jones]

Can we do a mashup?

[Adam Leventhal]

Well, it's not going to be a draw, is it? Someone's going to.

[Cerys Jones]

Well, no, I know, but for fun afterwards, they could do a mashup.

[Adam Leventhal]

They could do a mashup, but it's unlikely.

[Cerys Jones]

Yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

So who's winning? That was my.

[Sam Lee]

My kind of.

[Adam Leventhal]

My. My cryptic way of saying who is winning the game?

[Liam Toomey]

It's a. It's a real coin flip for me. I think England are the. The more talented team overall, but Harlan gives you the. The most puncher of punches chances imaginable if you're. If you're Norway. I don't think Norway will. Will have the ball quite as much as they did against Brazil because it almost felt like Brazil were doing a deliberate ploy to let Norway have the ball. I don't think England will do that. They've been doing a lot of pressing trying to win the ball high up. So it will be a different game. But England also have to take care not to let it get too transitional because if Haaland gets in space, it's over. I've avoided giving you an answer there.

[Adam Leventhal]

I'm very aware of that.

[Liam Toomey]

I will go for England narrowly. It might even be penalties.

[Adam Leventhal]

Fine. Keris.

[Cerys Jones]

Also England. I think the transition is What I'm most worried about, they've looked so vulnerable to that against teams that don't have one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best striker in the world. So that's my primary concern. And also how this back line looks. You know, we've still not really seen the consistency in how it fits together and the concern over Mark Gay is an additional kind of factor in that. So I am worried, but I am quietly optimistic.

[Adam Leventhal]

Good. Thank you very much for finally answering the question.

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[Adam Leventhal]

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[Cerys Jones]

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[Adam Leventhal]

Both of you have answered a question about who's going to win between Norway and England. Would you like to answer another question? In our daily quiz, we've answered a

[Liam Toomey]

question about the future. Let's address the past.

[Adam Leventhal]

Very good. I should have said that, shouldn't I? Right, so it is day 30, day 30. It's day 30 of the world cup. And this is our. Do you know? Do you know, leading into the 2026 World cup, which nation had won the most matches without winning the competition? That is 30 wins.

[Liam Toomey]

So matches at the. Fine. The World cup finals without winning the competition.

[Adam Leventhal]

Correct.

[Sam Lee]

Okay.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yes. Shout your name when you're ready, Liam.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Oh, yes.

[Liam Toomey]

Portugal.

[Adam Leventhal]

No, that's cleared the way for Cerys to come in with the correct answer, which is. I can tell you the continent.

[Cerys Jones]

Yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

Europe.

[Liam Toomey]

Yeah. It feels.

[Cerys Jones]

Is it the Netherlands?

[Adam Leventhal]

Cerys.

[Liam Toomey]

That's a good. Yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

You've won.

[Cerys Jones]

I thought I'd forgot. I thought I'd forgotten the time that they had won the World cup, which is why I was scared.

[Adam Leventhal]

No. Well done. Yeah. 30 wins for the Netherlands. Right, so we've spoken about Erling Haaland and the threat that England face in their quarter final with Norway. But let's concentrate on England because there has been some disruption to their preparations. Heading to Miami this Friday with selection doubts over Declan Rice and Mark Gay. Gay has a tightness in his hamstring. Rice has been suffering with illness. Both players missed training on Wednesday. We'll talk about Rhys James in a minute. But, I mean, I do hate to reference Liam Tharm, who was suggesting that Declan Rice isn't that essential to England. And we could have rested him in the last game against Mexico, but we certainly can't do without him against Norway, can we? Or can we?

[Liam Toomey]

Yeah. It's a bold claim from my namesake.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yes.

[Liam Toomey]

I'm a bit worried about the prospect of going into any game that matters without Declan Rice, because we saw against Panama what it looks like when Elliot Anderson is kind of all alone, presumably they would have another human in that area of the pitch, so it wouldn't look quite the same. But the ease with which Panama broke through England's lines makes me very, very worried about what Norway could do in a similar situation. Hopefully he's in a good enough condition to play and we know Rice is an absolute warrior in that sense. If he's at all in condition, he will want to play, and even if he's not in condition, he'll probably still want to play. Yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

But also his nous and his knowledge of what Martin Odegaard can do as well, I would have thought, is a key sort of. He can always keep an eye on him. He knows exactly where he's going to be going and what he's going to be doing, Right?

[Cerys Jones]

Yeah, absolutely. I think, you know, first of all, poor Declan Rice is really being put through the ring of this tournament. But, yeah, I think as much as we are concerned about Erling Haaland, there has to be that question of how you. You cut off the. The central creativity as well, and I think Rice will be really important to that. Elliot Anderson is a fantastic midfielder, but I think the two of them balance each other out really, really well. Rice in terms of just the ground he covers. So I think I would be very concerned if England were without him. Kobbie Mainoo is obviously another option. Jordan Henderson, of course, now not an option, managing to pick up an injury, needing surgery off the pitch. Mainoo, you know, it would be a big ask for him to come in at this stage of the tournament. As much quality as he has and as much as he's shown at club level that he can step up when he's needed, it would be better for England's consistency to have Rice there. And I hope, and probably just expect, based on what we know of his character, that if there's any way he can be on the pitch, he will be.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah. And we don't know also with Marc Gay, how much England have been sort of managing a tightness in his hamstring. That's what we have the knowledge of at the moment. So we don't know if it's a bad enough situation for him to miss the game. But where does this sort of feed into the selection issues with, you know, Conso or Stones or Dan Byrne and Then how that then plugs into what happens at rightpoint back. Because we know that Rhys James also missed the game, missed training, I should say on, on Wednesday. We know Jarell Quansa is definitely going to be suspended for this game and the next one. We don't need to go into that again. So it's, it's a worry not having Mark Gahey there because he's a key part of the jigsaw.

[Liam Toomey]

Yeah, definitely. And look, I'm very familiar with the Rhys James psychodrama also, fitness wise. It's just that entire area of the pitch is hugely concerning for England. I don't think they've defended well for any sustained stretch of this tournament, really, apart from, you know, backs to the wall against Mexico in the last 15, 20 minutes in a siege situation that's not sustainable over. Over a whole game for in the matches they need to win in the rest of this tournament. I think it's, it's a worry that regardless of gaze fitness, they don't seem to have a center back partnership that you can just write in, in pen and just go, those are our two best center backs. Those are not just individually but together and they're going to play every single game. It has been changing and when you add in the uncertainty around the fullbacks, there is a lot of scope for Norway to have real joy in this game. And right back has been the biggest single discussion point because of James fitness. You look at Norway's talent in that area of the pitch. Antonio Nus has already scored an excellent goal in this tournament. Andreas Sheldorup came off the bench to set up two goals to give the ball to Haaland twice exactly where he wanted it against Brazil. That's why I think this is such a tight game because England are extremely dangerous and I think their attack is as well balanced as it's been at any major tournament in my lifetime, honestly. But the defence is a huge worry.

[Adam Leventhal]

Well, we'll keep a close eye on it obviously and I'm sure it will develop and we'll cover it every step of the way, all the way up until kickoff between England and Norway right here on the Athletic Time has beaten us. Thank you very much, Keris. Thank you, Liam. Many thanks to Sam and to Adam Crafton earlier on in the show. Remember, all of our World cup coverage across the Athletic app is completely free during the tournament, so do continue to consume all of that no show tomorrow on Saturday, Ian Irving is going to be with you on Sunday after England against Norway and then from Monday we will be live and direct to you from New York City for the final week of the tournament. Very, very much looking forward to that. I will catch you then. But there is a lot more to happen before we get there. Take care.

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