Haaland calls out Rooney after Norway stun Brazil to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Erling Haaland has publicly called out Wayne Rooney after Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil sent them into the World Cup quarter-finals in Miami, forcing the former Manchester United striker to face the consequences of a bold pre-tournament wager.

Rooney had joked during the tournament that he would row down the River Mersey if Ståle Solbakken’s side made the last eight. Norway did exactly that, with Haaland netting a brace against Brazil to book a quarter-final showdown with England on Saturday evening.

Speaking ahead of the last-eight tie, Haaland was in no mood to let Rooney off the hook. “Wayne Rooney said he was going to row if we went to the quarter-finals,” the Manchester City striker said. “So Wayne Rooney, I expect you to go out on a rowing trip. I’m looking forward to seeing you, Wayney boy.”

Rooney, pressed to respond, conceded the bet had backfired spectacularly. “Yeah, I won’t be doing that again,” he said, before roping in fellow pundits Micah Richards and Joe Hart. “Big Meeks is going to come along. So me, Meeks and Harty, we’re all taking part, aren’t we? We’re just trying to get it put together to do it on the Hudson River in New York.”

The original wager was inspired by Norway’s viral post-match rowing celebration — one player drumming while the rest of the squad and supporters mime rowing in unison — which has become one of the defining images of the tournament.

Haaland has been in devastating form throughout, scoring seven goals in five matches, and England will need to find a way to contain him if they are to reach the semi-finals. Norway’s run to the quarter-finals is the furthest the nation has ever progressed at a World Cup.

The Mayor of Liverpool has since offered Rooney an alternative to a rowing boat, suggesting he could instead captain the city’s new £26m Mersey Ferry when it launches in a few months’ time.