Gary Neville asserts that England will be the favorites in their World Cup quarter-final against Norway, but he emphasizes the need for caution regarding Erling Haaland's potential impact. This comes on the heels of England's thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, where Jude Bellingham netted two goals and Harry Kane scored a penalty despite England being down to 10 men.

Norway also made headlines by defeating five-time champions Brazil, with Haaland scoring twice, bringing his World Cup tally to seven goals, tying him with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at the top of the scoring charts.

Neville remarked on Haaland's ability to be "explosive" even when he appears less involved in the game, stating:

It's tough to stop Haaland... he was devastating against Brazil. England should be favorites to beat Norway, but it's going to be tough.

He highlighted the importance of maintaining defensive discipline, especially against a potent attacking force like Norway's front four, which includes Haaland. Neville noted:

You can't drop back onto your goalkeeper with Haaland. If you concede from set-pieces, it will undermine your performances.

Additionally, Neville praised Bellingham for his standout performance, noting he became the first player to score twice at the Azteca in a World Cup since Diego Maradona in 1986. He revised his previous stance on England's world-class talent, now recognizing:

Bellingham has absolutely smashed through that ceiling.

Reflecting on England's overall performance, Neville expressed pride in their resilience and tactical execution, stating:

The game had absolutely everything... England were absolutely magnificent.

He acknowledged some vulnerabilities but remained optimistic about England's chances in the upcoming match, emphasizing that they must address minor issues to enhance their performance.