Kane insists he and Haaland are 'completely different players' ahead of World Cup quarter-final showdown

Harry Kane has rejected the notion that he and Erling Haaland are cut from the same cloth, insisting the two strikers play “completely different positions” despite both being regarded as the world’s premier centre-forwards. The England captain made the comments ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami, where the two men will go head-to-head with a semi-final place at stake.

Kane was direct when asked to settle the debate over who is the better striker. “It’s an impossible one for me to answer,” he said. “I think we are completely different players because I know we’re both seen as strikers but I think we play two completely different positions if I’m honest.”

The Bayern Munich forward was generous in his praise of his Norwegian counterpart, acknowledging Haaland’s extraordinary physical presence and finishing ability. “Erling has been incredible — his goalscoring record, physically he’s a machine, he’s a beast and his finishing is at the highest level,” Kane said. “I see myself as a different player. Although I score the same goals, I like to maybe touch the ball a little bit more and be involved in play a little bit more.”

Haaland leads Kane by one goal in the tournament’s scoring charts, with seven to Kane’s six, while the Manchester City striker has found the net a remarkable 73 times this season for club and country.

Kane was also careful not to reduce Norway to a one-man threat. “They’re really well coached,” he said. “It’s our job to find weaknesses within the structure — they are riding this wave, they are confident and free.”

On the wider Golden Boot race, which also features Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, the 32-year-old said the competition added excitement rather than pressure. “It makes it more exciting for the fans, for the media,” he explained. “In terms of myself, I don’t think it adds any more pressure. I just try to do my best for the team.”