John Stones insists England have “huge respect” for Norway and Erling Haaland as Thomas Tuchel’s side look ahead to their World Cup quarter-final clash on Saturday.
England’s reward for their thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico in the thunderous cauldron of the Estadio Azteca on Sunday night is a date with Norway in Miami, after Haaland’s late brace stunned Brazil in New Jersey earlier on Sunday in the last 16.
The match-up between the two nations – their first since September 2014 when a Wayne Rooney penalty led England to a 1-0 friendly win at Wembley – is a historic occasion: the Three Lions are eyeing just their fourth-ever World Cup semi-final appearance while Norway are looking to extend their record-breaking run with a shock spot in the final four.
As Stones was all too aware, it also presents a fascinating intra-club dynamic as Man City’s Haaland comes up against defensive teammates Marc Guehi and Stones himself, who just left City after 10 years.
On facing Haaland, Stones said after the Mexico victory: “It’s another incredible player, and we’ve got huge respect for Norway as a team. They knocked Brazil out today, which speaks for itself and we’ll treat them with the same respect we show every opponent.
“We know what they’ve got, especially with Erling. We’ve put in some great defensive performances so far, and we’ll pick things up over the next few days. Tonight is about enjoying a special win.”
Stones was a second-half substitute as England switched to a back-five for the latter stages of the win in Mexico City, with Dan Burn and Djed Spence among the other defensive reinforcements following Jarell Quansah’s red card.
It was a rearguard England performance to conclude a raucous occasion in the Azteca but, backs against the wall, Tuchel’s side emerged victorious and Stones – featuring in his third World Cup – believes it will stand the team in good stead ahead of the quarter-finals.
“We’ve been through that experience now and come out the right side of it,” he said. “Knowing we can defend like that if we have to is really encouraging and it gives us confidence going into the next round.
“The guys at the back have performed at such a high level throughout the tournament. We push each other every day in training, and whoever has played has done so well. That should give us great confidence.
“Ten men down for so long, soaking up pressure and grinding it out… it was really pleasing. The blocks, the saves, those are small wins for defenders, but they create a real winning mentality.”
Stones started the first match against Croatia but has since been absent, with Guehi preferred by Tuchel to start alongside Ezri Konsa. However, given Quansah’s red card and one-game suspension, as well as Reece James’ injury troubles, Stones is a contender to start against Norway if Konsa shifts permanently to right back.
And the 32-year-old, with 92 caps to his name, insists he is in the “best condition” to perform despite an injury-plagued season that saw the centre-back make just nine Premier League appearances.
“I’ve been ready to go for a long time,” Stones added.
“I feel great physically, and I’m always trying to stay positive and put myself in the best condition so I can help the team whenever I’m needed.
“We were really calm going into the game, and that’s such a good quality in this team. It was an intimidating place to play, but once we got hold of the game, I think we showed exactly what we’re about.”
Now three games from a first World Cup triumph in 60 years, England’s sights are set on the showpiece game on 19 July in New Jersey.
“The mentality of the boys who aren’t playing has been incredible,” Stones said. “We’re all hungry to help, and we’ve all got the same goal… to reach the final.”
