Haaland says he is now supporting England after they knocked Norway out of the World Cup

The Manchester City striker failed to score for the first time in the tournament and was subbed off in extra time as the Three Lions won the quarter-final 2-1 in stifling Miami heat

Erling Haaland says he is now supporting England after they knocked Norway out of the World Cup.

The Manchester City striker failed to score for the first time in the tournament and was subbed off in extra time as the Three Lions won the quarter-final 2-1 in stifling Miami heat.

Haaland, 25, was born in Leeds while dad Alf-Inge was playing for the Yorkshire club and could have been part of Thomas Tuchel’s team. We told how he was even pictured wearing an England football shirt as a youngster.

But he moved back to Norway aged three after his dad hung up his boots and has played international football for them ever since.

After England KO’d his adopted homeland Erling said he would now be supporting the Three Lions’ glory bid.

Asked if he backed Tuchel’s team’s bid to end 60 years of hurt he said: “Yes, why not. I have some City friends at England. Of course I want them to do well. I got an England shirt before I got a Norway shirt when I was little.”

Haaland’s former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Jude Bellingham, 23, was England’s hero scoring twice to turn to the quarter-final around.

Erling, who himself scored seven goals at the tournament, said Jude was a ‘good friend’. “We had two great years at Dortmund,” he said. “We are good friends and he is such a nice guy.

“I am not surprised that he is scoring today and performing the way he is.

“The only thing is that he gets a bit too much criticism sometimes for not scoring enough goals. I think that is undeserved.

“He still scores goals and dribbles everyone on the pitch. He is incredible and England are lucky because everyone wants a player like that.”