Haaland calls out Rooney over River Mersey bet after Norway stun Brazil at World Cup

Wayne Rooney found himself on the back foot ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday, after Erling Haaland publicly called him out over a bold prediction that backfired spectacularly.

Rooney had joked that he would row down the River Mersey if Norway made the last eight of the tournament. Ståle Solbakken’s side did exactly that, beating Brazil 2-1 — with Haaland scoring twice — to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in the nation’s history.

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

Rooney, working as a pundit at the tournament, conceded the point with good humour — while quickly recruiting colleagues Micah Richards and Joe Hart to share the burden. “Yeah, I won’t be doing that again,” he said. “But 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, in which one player beats a drum while the rest of the squad and supporters mime rowing in unison.

The Mayor of Liverpool added a twist of his own, offering Rooney the captain’s chair on a brand new £26 million Mersey Ferry as an alternative to the oars.

On the pitch, the stakes could hardly be higher. Haaland has scored seven goals in five games at this World Cup, and England will need to find a way to contain him if they are to advance to the semi-finals. The quarter-final kicks off at 10pm BST on Saturday.