Wayne Rooney was put on the spot by Erling Haaland, as he was called out for previous remarks at the World Cup regarding the Norwegian football team
Wayne Rooney touches his ear
Wayne Rooney has been left red-faced(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
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Wayne Rooney was left with egg on his face as Erling Haaland made him rue his words for casting doubt on Norway's march to the World Cup quarter-finals. It comes as Rooney had previously joked that he would row down the River Mersey if they reached the last eight.
They did exactly that after beating Brazil 2-1 to arrange a showdown with England in the quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday evening (10pm BST). Haaland has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, netting seven goals in just five matches, and the Three Lions are well aware they must shackle him if they are to secure a semi-final berth.
With the last four within touching distance for both sides, Rooney suggested he couldn't envisage Stale Solbakken's outfit progressing beyond Brazil. He said: "If Norway get to the quarter-finals, I'll go in the River Mersey and row down it."
A Haaland brace against Brazil then sent Norway through to the quarter-finals for the first time in the nation's history.
Speaking in the build-up to the quarter-final, Haaland said: "I'm looking forward to seeing you, Wayney boy.
"Wayne Rooney said he was going to row if we went to the quarter-finals. So Wayne Rooney, I expect you to go out on a rowing trip."
Pressed to respond, Rooney conceded it would be the last time he made such a bold declaration.
He said: "Yeah, I won't be doing that again," he said, before dragging Micah Richards and Joe Hart into the exchange.
"But no, big Meeks [Micah Richards] is going to come along. So me, Meeks and Harty, we're all taking part, aren't we?
"So we're just trying to get it put together to do it on the Hudson River [in New York]."
Rooney's original wager was prompted by Norway's viral post-match rowing celebration at the World Cup - one player drumming while the remainder of the squad and supporters mime rowing in synchronisation.
Erling Haaland celebrates
Erling Haaland has been in stupendous form this summer(Image: Al Bello, Getty Images)
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However, it appears the Mayor of Liverpool has alternative plans for Rooney.
He said: "How about this instead, we can sort out a rowing boat OR in a couple of months' time, we'll launch our brand new £26m Mersey Ferry. Fancy swapping oars for the captain's chair?"