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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt’s Harry Kane against Erling Haaland in the World Cup quarter-final. (Photo: AFP)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
LOS ANGELES – England lock horns with Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Friday that pits Harry Kane against Erling Haaland in a mouthwatering battle of elite sharpshooters.<\/p>\n
The teams are competing to face either reigning champions Argentina or surprise package Switzerland in the semi-finals. Kick-off is at 4am Sunday Thailand time.<\/p>\n
Kane has once again been England\u2019s hero, dragging his teammates through an attritional last-16 meeting with Mexico at the Estadio Azteca that they won 3-2 despite having a man sent off.<\/p>\n
The Bayern Munich forward has scored six goals to fire the Three Lions to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Haaland appears to have been enjoying himself ever since he touched down in the United States and began smashing in the seven goals that have carried Norway further than ever before.<\/p>\n
Their run, which included eliminating Brazil, has been accompanied by their fans\u2019 joyous rowing celebration that has turned venues across the US into giant human Viking ships.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery game has been the most important (in history) for Norwegian football, especially in the knockout rounds, so this is the third time it is the most important game,\u201d Norway coach Stale Solbakken said on Friday.<\/p>\n
Kane described 25-year-old Haaland as \u201ca beast\u201d but insisted he and the Manchester City striker had contrasting styles.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see myself as a different player, although I score the same goals,\u201d the England captain, 32, said on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to maybe touch the ball a little bit more, be involved with the play a little bit more, but also can play as maybe the out-and-out number nine.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s one to compare ourselves. I respect him a lot as a player and as a professional. Obviously, I\u2019m hoping he has a quiet day tomorrow, but I think his overall performance is very good.\u201d<\/p>\n
England were boosted by the return to training on Friday of the influential trio of Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James, who have been dealing with illness and injury.<\/p>\n
Coach Thomas Tuchel described their presence as \u201cthe best news\u201d and said: \u201cWe took a big step in our last match, but it was only a step.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next step is to win a quarter-final. The important thing is to look up at what is ahead of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The contest in Miami\u2019s Hard Rock Stadium is likely to be a sweaty affair played in temperatures forecast to rise above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).<\/p>\n
Fatigue setting in?<\/p>\n
Argentina made a smooth start to their bid to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.<\/p>\n
But since they entered the knockout rounds, frailties have crept in as they were pushed to breaking point by first World Cup debutants Cape Verde and then Egypt.<\/p>\n
Lionel Messi, who turned 39 during the group phase, has again been the talisman for the South Americans, his genius repeatedly getting his team out of tight spots.<\/p>\n
But there is just a suggestion that the Swiss, a well-organised unit marshalled by defensive general Granit Xhaka, could exploit any weariness and cause them problems at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have very experienced players. They are strong. So it will be a tough opponent, that is for sure,\u201d Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said on Friday.<\/p>\n
Messi will be bidding to add to the 21 goals \u2014 a new record \u2014 he has scored across the six World Cups in which he has played.<\/p>\n