Alan Shearer
Former England striker

Image source, Getty Images

It is very tempting to look ahead at who we might face in our semi-final - either Argentina or Switzerland - but we have got to get past Norway first.

I am feeling confident but I think everyone would agree that if we can stop Erling Haaland then we have got a much better chance of winning that game.

Knowing that doesn't make doing it any easier, though - as Brazil found out when he scored twice to knock them out.

For his first goal, Gabriel has been criticised for not being close enough to challenge him for the header, but I'd say that is down to elite centre-forward play rather than being poor from the centre-half.

It is Haaland's movement that gets him that space, and then he is just a killer when he gets the sight of goal, especially inside the box - but then his second goal showed why you can't give him any room outside the area either.

He's relentless, and I don't think there's a way of stopping him. Instead you have to try to restrict his supply, at source, where the ball is coming from.

Some of the England defenders who might figure against Haaland - Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly and John Stones - are his team-mates at Manchester City but I don't think that helps or hinders them.

I honestly don't think it matters whether they know him or not because we all know him - we all watch him every week in the Premier League. If you don't know him by now, and what he can do, then what have you been watching?

He is world class, and pretty much the perfect centre-forward but you could say the same thing about Kane too. They are very different forwards but what is identical about both of them is their thirst for goals.

The form that both of them are in, it feels like it is going to be a shootout between two of the big guns, who are both eyeing the Golden Boot. Hopefully it's Harry who gets to fight another day.

Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have actually only played each other twice, and both in the space of three weeks in early 2023.

Haaland claimed the first, scoring the equaliser as City came from two goals down to win 4-2 at Etihad Stadium.

Kane got his revenge at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium shortly after as he grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 victory, becoming Spurs' all-time leading scorer in the process.

The gloves are off with a World Cup semi-final on the line.

Image source, Getty Images

That's what the experts say, so what do you think?

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport

Pundits at this World Cup have had plenty to enjoy given the performances of all the big names, with Haaland and Kane no exception.

Speaking after the win over Brazil, ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart described Haaland as "an absolute monster".

"He's taken all the stress out of everything," Hart added. "He is so relaxed, is taking care of business on the pitch and enjoying every minute at the World Cup."

Former England captain Wayne Rooney agreed, saying: "Haaland has given his whole country the belief they can go really far in the competition."

When describing Kane's winner against DR Congo, the pair were equally glowing.

"It's sublime," Rooney said. "Like all great centre-forwards, he doesn't even have to look at the goalkeeper - it's instinctive."

Hart added: "He trusts his technique and from the moment the ball left his foot, he would have been celebrating."

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said that Kane had reached "superhero status" at this World Cup: "He is this superhero type of character now. He's gone to that level with the goals that he has scored on this run and the way he has pulled England up by the shoe laces and got them through.

"Captain, talisman and leader - all the superlatives - keep going. You can use all of them for him. He has been excellent."

The difference in this modern-day encounter is the standard of players in both teams.

Most notably, England and Norway possess two of the most potent strikers in modern football - Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

Tonight's quarter-final is not just about those two 'stars', but the head-to-head is inescapable.

What we want to know from you is which player would you rather have in your side - Kane or Haaland?

Click Get Involved to have your say...

Image source, Getty Images

Interestingly enough, Norway have a slightly better record than England in their head-to-head, if you discount friendlies.

In four competitive fixtures, England have won one, drawn one and lost two.

While the two teams have never played each other at a major tournament, they have been grouped together twice in World Cup qualifiers.

England won the first of their four competitive fixtures at Wembley 4-0, in qualifying for the 1982 World Cup, but famously lost the return fixture, when Norwegian commentator Bjorge Lillelien described their 2-1 defeat in Oslo as "one hell of a beating".

The Three Lions then drew their home game and lost in Norway as they failed to qualify the 1994 World Cup in the USA under Graham Taylor.

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist in Miami

Image source, Getty Images

Norway boss Stale Solbakken agrees with Kristofer Hivju on one thing - that England are favourites to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

The Three Lions meet Norway - who knocked out five-time world champions Brazil in the last 16 - in Miami tonight (22:00 BST kick-off).

And Solbakken, in an interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan, said: "They are favourites, but they're not big, big favourites."

Later, the former Wolves boss told a news conference at the Miami Stadium: "I think England have more pressure than us.

"But we also put pressure on our performance. Once the game starts I don't think the players think about the pressure."

Norway's team is packed with Premier League talent and experience, including Arsenal's title-winning captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland.

"Brazil and England are maybe the two biggest nations we could meet at this World Cup in terms of history," added Solbakken.

The majority of our readers today are backing England to make it past Norway.

Norway's supporters are feeling confident though.

After they beat Italy twice in qualification, the side has kicked on at this World Cup, lead on the pitch by Erling Haaland and his seven goals in four appearances.

After waiting 28 years between World Cups, Game of Thrones star Kristofer Hivju believes that this is Norway's time to give England another beating...

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

A World Cup body of work that, even by the Real Madrid midfielder's lofty standards, has been as mesmerising as we've seen in an England shirt in recent major tournaments.

It seems ludicrous now to think that there was even a debate as to whether Jude Bellingham would be in England's World Cup team at all.

Bellingham has emerged as one of the stars of England's run to the World Cup quarter-finals - he's arguably been one of the best players of the tournament.

Four goals plus an excellent assist for Harry Kane's goal in the 2-0 win over Panama has had England's supporters serenading the 23-year-old here in the USA.

But Bellingham appears to be taking it all in his stride.

Of course, he is used to the adulation. It is no surprise that Bellingham finds himself in the position he does today - his route to the top was predicted by those in the game when he burst on to the scene in 2019.

• Click here to read Sami's full feature on Bellingham's rise to England World Cup hero.

We are going to have a look at Harry Kane and how he measures up to Erling Haaland in more detail, so stick with us for that.

But what about Jude Bellingham?

If Norway and England's two star strikers cancel each other out tonight, could Bellingham once again thrive in his role as difference maker for the Three Lions?

Image source, Getty Images

So it's a case of "we're going to score one more than you" is it Dan?

Sure I have heard that line somewhere before...and for some reason I am feeling peckish for curry all of a sudden.

It may actually be a decent tactic though Dan.

England's attack could be the best form of defence in this one, don't you think?

Norway have got Erling Haaland, but England have Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.

Haaland has seven goals in this tournament, but Kane and Bellingham together have 10.

It's just maths, isn't it?

Image source, Getty Images

We had a look at this yesterday, Pete.

It may surprise a few people to know that Erling Haaland has only scored one goal against Newcastle in his seven Premier League matches for Manchester City, and just one in 10 in all competitions.

His solitary goal against the Magpies came way back in August 2022, at the start of his time in the Premier League.

Haaland scored to trigger a second-half comeback in a 3-3 draw at St James' Park in the league.

Dan Burn played at left-back in that match, but more recently has been used at centre-back in games against City, and tasked with man-marking Haaland.

It's fair to say the pair have had some tasty duels.

Could tonight in Miami be their latest instalment?