Haaland: 'Unbelievable' Bellingham gets too much criticism

Erling Haaland says England are fortunate to have an "unbelievable" player like Jude Bellingham in their ranks.

And Haaland feels his former Borussia Dortmund team-mate gets unnecessary criticism from some quarters.

Bellingham delivered again on the big stage for England as his double saw the Three Lions come from behind to beat Haaland's Norway 2-1 in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final tie in Miami.

The Real Madrid midfielder has netted six goals at this World Cup, none of which have been penalties. This is the joint-most non-penalty goals by an England player in a major tournament, along with Gary Lineker at the 1986 World Cup (six).

Bellingham has now scored seven World Cup goals – the only player to net more in the competition while aged 23 or younger is Kylian Mbappe (12).

However, prior to the tournament, there were question marks over Bellingham's attitude, with some even suggesting Morgan Rogers should start ahead of him behind Harry Kane, leaving Haaland baffled.

"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 criticism 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."

Haaland was on the fringes of the action against England. He had two shots, both from headers, while his foul on Elliot Anderson from a corner saw Norway have a second goal disallowed by VAR.

The 25-year-old had been on a run of 14 successive international appearances with a goal, with Haaland having plundered 27 goals in that run.

While Haaland was frustrated with some of the decisions he felt went against Norway, the Manchester City striker hopes England, who will face Argentina in the last four, go on to do well.

"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," said Haaland, who was born in Leeds.

"I want England to do well because it's a nice country and it's a nice T-shirt."