Norway vs England spotlights Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham’s bromance

Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland are preparing for the World Cup quarter-finals. Naturally, the internet decided it was another HBO sports drama.

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On Saturday, July 11, England will take on Norway at Miami Stadium for a place in the World Cup semi-finals, setting up one of the tournament’s most internet-friendly player match-ups. It pits Bellingham, England’s midfield star, against Haaland, Norway’s goalscoring machine and former Borussia Dortmund teammate. FIFA’s Match Center lists Norway vs. England as the quarter-final in Miami, but England confirmed the encounter after a 3-2 win over Mexico in the Round of 16.

The stakes in soccer are clear. England reached this point with Bellingham scoring two goals in quick succession against Mexico and Harry Kane adding a penalty kick in the second half. Norway arrived after defeating Brazil 2-1, with Haaland scoring both goals to propel Brazil into the last eight.

But online, this matchup is about more than tactics, tone, or who will survive the July Miami heat. Some fans are reminiscing about Bellingham and Haaland’s long-standing friendship, resurfacing old clips, loving moments and edits of the pair from their time at Dortmund.

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Some have started comparing this setting to the hit sports romance series “Heated Rivalry” in late 2025. The series follows two rival hockey players who (for lack of a better word) have a passionate bond over their rivalry on the ice.

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Before Bellingham became one of Real Madrid’s defining players and Haaland became Manchester City’s long-term superstar, they were two of Borussia Dortmund’s most exciting young players. Bellingham joined Dortmund from Birmingham City as a teenager in 2020 and quickly became the club’s youngest ever scorer in a competitive game. Haaland arrived earlier that year and was already one of Europe’s most feared young forwards.

On the pitch, the duo had a lot of chemistry. Bellingham brought energy, timing and midfield drive. Haaland brought a frightening sense of inevitability to a striker who always seemed like he was one goal away from scoring. Off the pitch, they seemed to have developed a genuine friendship.

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And even after the inevitable transfer, our friendship continued. Haaland will move from Dortmund to Manchester City in 2022, while Bellingham will join Real Madrid in 2023. Haaland has since signed a long-term deal that will keep him at City until 2034, but Bellingham’s move to Madrid makes him one of the club’s most high-profile English signings to date.

Even after their separation, Bellingham made it clear that Haaland was still checking in with her. During the 2022 World Cup, Bellingham said Haaland sent him messages before and after England’s opening game telling him to “keep up the good work” and saying “well done.” He said he encouraged Haaland and said the two still send each other “silly stuff” when they remember old jokes. Oh, to be on the receiving end of Haraand’s snaps…

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It also helps that both players have become perfect internet characters in different ways. “Hey Jude” Bellingham has the aura of a polished superstar and the ability to turn high-pressure matches into his own. Haaland has spent this World Cup becoming something of Norway’s final boss and social media content creator, and Norway’s run has produced some of the tournament’s most entertaining moments both online and offline.

Sports fans are already loving the former teammate-turned-rival storyline. The internet loves lore. Luckily for fans, Saturday’s matchup will include both.