England's unconventional tactic to stop Haaland: use his friendship with Bellingham

When England faced Norway in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal, the two teams met on opposite sides of the pitch but a special bond between two players - Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham - captured fans' attention throughout the tournament.

Before the match, football fans joked that England should use this friendship to their advantage: Bellingham's primary task should be to distract Haaland. Despite the fierce rivalry on the field, the friends managed to maintain their unique connection.

After the 2026 tournament, Haaland became one of the most recognizable footballers worldwide, and his interaction with Bellingham on the pitch created both a sporting and emotional moment. The joke about Bellingham's distracting tactic came true to some extent - he indeed managed to divert Haaland's attention.