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Saturday’s quarter-final match between England and Norway features the world’s most prolific strikers, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
So who is the best? Javier Hernández and Peter Schmeichel of FOX Sports shared their votes while recognizing the quality of both players.
“Harry Kane,” Hernández said. “The difference is tiny. They are both incredible strikers, but in my team I definitely want a versatile player like Harry Kane. We saw that game 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, Haaland has scored 62 goals in 54 career games for Norway. For Manchester City, Haaland recorded 27 goals and eight assists in 35 Premier League appearances last season. Schmeichel, although he would like to choose both, his argument leaned in favor of the young Norwegian striker.
“Both,” Schmeichel said first, before admitting: “I take Haaland. The reason is that he is 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 so different.”
Kane’s six goals and Haaland’s seven at this World Cup both lead their teams at this World Cup, putting them firmly in the race for the Golden Boot. Norway reached their first ever World Cup quarter-final, while Kane won England’s all-time World Cup top scorer title against Panama. It was a historic tournament for both.
The Norwegian attack also includes captain Martin Ødegaard and winger Antonio Nusa, who contributed to their success. Ødegaard has three assists, while Nusa scored one of the best goals of the tournament against Ivory Coast.
Kane has compatriot Jude Bellingham alongside him, with the Real Madrid player scoring twice against Mexico. Kane also fights all over the pitch, getting a big block late in England’s 2-1 win over DR Congo and also making a defensive change against Mexico when the Three Lions were down to 10 men.
“Whenever they need it,” Schmeichel said, “these are the guys who bring everything they need to the pitch. I think Harry Kane is a more versatile player. Erling Haaland is someone who is just happy to wander around, wait for the ball, and when it comes, he executes.
“Harry goes a little bit deep, participates in the game, assists other players and is a much more mature striker in that sense, a very different striker. After this match (against Mexico), I think we all agree that he is the best striker in the world, Harry Kane.”
