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Erling Haaland described Jude Bellingham as "one of the best in the world" after the midfielder netted a brace in England's narrow 2–1 victory over Norway on Saturday.
The Three Lions required extra time to eliminate Norway in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal in Miami, and despite much of the pre-match spotlight falling on Haaland and Harry Kane, it was Bellingham who delivered when it mattered most with a match-winning double.
The two goals bring Bellingham's tally at this tournament to six, equaling the most goals ever scored by an England player at a single World Cup.
The Real Madrid star also netted twice against Mexico in the round of 16, and scored twice more during the group stage against Croatia and Panama.
Haaland Hails 'Unbelievable' Bellingham
Bellingham's performances throughout the tournament have made earlier debates about whether the 23-year-old even deserved a starting place in Thomas Tuchel's squad look utterly absurd. Haaland, who shared a dressing room with Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund, admitted post-match that the only thing that catches him off guard is the level of criticism his former teammate occasionally faces.
"I'm not surprised that he scores two goals today and performs the way he does," Haaland said.
"The only thing is that sometimes I think he gets a bit too much of a critic because he doesn't score enough goals or whatever it is.
"I think he doesn't really deserve it because he's one of the best in the world. He's a midfielder, he still scores goals, he still manages to dribble every single player on the field.
"It's just praise for Jude. I think he's unbelievable. England is lucky, Madrid is lucky because everybody would want a Jude in the team."
The two stars are well-known friends from their shared time in Germany and were spotted embracing on the pitch after the final whistle on Saturday evening.
Haaland's Father Unhappy With Refereeing
Well done Bellingham and referee.
Erling was not the only Haaland to mention Bellingham following the match. Alf-Inge Haaland, the striker's father and agent, also referenced England's No.10 on X.
Replying under a post from Fabrizio Romano celebrating Bellingham's performance, Haaland Sr. wrote "Well done Bellingham and referee".
Alf-Inge also posted "feel we got robbed today" in response to a separate post from English journalist Henry Winter, also on X.
The primary controversy of the match centered on a Norway goal disallowed in the second half after referee Clément Turpin ruled that Haaland had pushed Elliot Anderson in the build-up—following a VAR review—though there was also frustration surrounding Bellingham's opening goal amid claims the ball had struck the overhead camera system.
Despite being directly involved in one of these flashpoints, Erling remained gracious in defeat.
"Normally, the best team, which is of course England in terms of the players and this, normally you get these decisions with you," he said. "When I'm in Man City, normally it goes my way."
He added: "Of course I want England to do well. I think I got an England jersey before I got a Norway jersey when I was young.
"Of course I want England to do well because it's a nice country and it's a nice T-shirt."