Quarterfinal Day Centers on Haaland, Messi
Two World Cup quarterfinals take place today after Spain edged past Belgium yesterday, with the winners advancing to Wednesday’s semifinals. England meet Norway at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, and Argentina face Switzerland later at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City.
England Against Norway’s Giant Blonde Striker
The England-Norway match pits Harry Kane against Erling Haaland, two of the world’s best strikers, in a contest where either could score a hat trick without dominating possession. Haaland, the giant blonde striker, has scored five goals at this tournament to fire Norway into the last eight.
The 25-year-old has already led the team beyond anything previously imagined for his country. England enter as slight favorites because of the world-class support around Kane, with Jude Bellingham arguably the nation’s best player this summer forming a dangerous double-act with his captain.
Thomas Tuchel faces defensive uncertainty from injuries and a suspension that have left a backline short on numbers and unsettled. Norway’s threat extends beyond Haaland, as Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is a brilliant playmaker who can dominate the midfield if given time.
His club teammate Declan Rice will oppose him in a battle that could decide the tie. John Arne Riise, Norway’s most capped player with 110 appearances, called the match “the biggest game in the history of Norwegian football.”
The former Liverpool defender said, “I think it’s going to happen for many reasons. The confidence in the team is high, the sense of humor and the energy in the team is good. It’s a massive pressure on England, so I have strong belief [Norway] is going to do it.” Norway has never reached a World Cup semifinal.
Haaland’s Appeal Beyond the Pitch
Haaland has become the unofficial star of the World Cup through an unfiltered online persona that includes cowboy hats in Texas, pranks, raw milk, kebab pizzas, a rap video, and a YouTube channel. His sister-in-law in Ireland, who has no interest in soccer, texted: “I don’t like football but seeing the giant blonde man bulldoze through defenders and nonchalantly score goals is great entertainment.”
He drew early attention with Champions League goals and candid post-match interviews. He has spent recent days urging British media to pile pressure on England with a trademark grin.
Haaland is quick to joke, yet he is a dedicated professional with steeliness in his game. He believes he can take Norway into the semifinals and will run through a brick wall to make that happen.
Norway Fans and the “Viking Row”
Norway supporters have spread a “viking row” tradition across host cities from Times Square to Manhattan waters this summer, popularized by a fan known as “Mr. Row Row.” Not all fans have joined in, with Emil Lappen going viral for refusing and calling it “stupid” and “annoying.”
Lappen said, “It’s factually wrong. The Vikings sailed across the Atlantic, the Vikings didn’t row across the Atlantic.” He vowed not to row before, during, or after the England match.
Messi Leads Argentina Against Switzerland
Lionel Messi returns to the World Cup stage as Argentina’s captain and inspiration after a late, dramatic Round of 16 comeback against Egypt kept the defending champion alive for the July 19 title. Argentina are heavy favorites against Switzerland, the lowest-ranked side left, which reached the quarterfinals by beating Colombia on penalties.
Swiss captain Granit Xhaka showed no fear of the matchup, saying Friday, “We know Argentina has many fine qualities. Few talk about the Swiss qualities. Tomorrow we will talk on the pitch, and we will show what we can do, and everything else doesn’t matter.”
Messi has missed two penalties at this tournament, including one that nearly ended Argentina’s defense. Opta Analyst data shows 79% of penalties are scored on average across the game.
Messi has taken 148 career spot kicks for club and country. He has converted 114 of them and missed 34.
That is a 77% rate, just below the general average. Very few players have attempted as many penalties as Messi, and that experience matters in high-pressure moments.
Opta says five Argentina teammates have a better conversion rate than him, with defensive midfielder Leandro Paredes highest. Messi scored from the spot in the 2022 World Cup final, and manager Lionel Scaloni is unlikely to remove him from duty despite the numbers.