English footballer Morgan Rogers raised the question on everyone's mind as England prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final.
He summed up the challenge facing the team if they are to reach the semi-finals: "Has anyone ever stopped Erling Haaland?" Rogers then answered his own question: "I'm not sure, but we have to try."
The Aston Villa forward came off the bench against Mexico to give England fresh energy and help the side secure victory in the round of 16. Although Rogers and Jude Bellingham are, in theory, rivals for the attacking midfield role, both worked tirelessly in unfamiliar defensive duties. Their commitment helped Thomas Tuchel's side hold on to a narrow 3-2 lead despite playing with 10 men.
Rogers knows Haaland well after facing him several times in the Premier League. The Norway striker has finished as the league's top scorer in three of the past four seasons. After scoring 27 league goals in 35 matches last season, Haaland has carried that form into his first World Cup, scoring seven goals in four matches. He was rested for Norway's final group match against France.
Last season, Rogers and his Aston Villa team-mates defeated Manchester City home and away. Ezri Konsa, now a regular in England's defence, played a key role in keeping Haaland from scoring at Villa Park.
Rogers said: "We played well in those matches against City, but every game is different. He can change a match in a moment. We have to stay fully focused and be aware of his movement and his position inside the penalty area."
England left-back Nico O'Reilly also knows Haaland well from Manchester City, where they shared a dressing room and formed a strong attacking partnership last season.
Speaking to FIFA, O'Reilly said: "Erling is Erling. We all know his qualities. He can score goals. He is dangerous inside the penalty area and is a real threat."
Stopping Haaland will require more than outstanding individual display
Rogers has believed that stopping Haaland will require more than an outstanding individual display.
He said: "It takes a complete team effort to stop a player like him and cut off the supply to him. We have to study how they play as a team and how they create chances. We need to disrupt their style of play, stop the ball reaching him and reduce his opportunities to score."
