England's World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway is set to be an intense battle reminiscent of their epic victory in the Azteca, according to psychic healer Susanne Ertsland Askvik. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star, Askvik believes Three Lions fans will be put through the emotional wringer once more.
Emotional Wringer Ahead for England Fans
Just days after Thomas Tuchel's heroes put in a gritty backs-to-the-wall performance against Mexico, they tonight come up against a Norway side high on confidence after knocking out five-time winners Brazil. Leeds-born star man Erling Haaland is in fine form, and Askvik believes the game could be "memorable" and "will not feel like an ordinary football match".
"The two teams feel very different energetically," she said. "One side appears to carry confidence built on structure, experience and expectation. The other feels more fluid, instinctive and unpredictable, capable of finding another level when belief replaces hesitation."
Momentum and Turning Points
Askvik emphasised the importance of momentum. "The strongest image I receive is that momentum will become unusually important. Rather than one team controlling the match from beginning to end, I sense a game that unfolds in waves. I repeatedly receive the impression of at least one significant turning point—a moment when many people believe the direction of the match has already been decided, only for the emotional balance to shift again."
She would not be drawn on picking a result, but felt the match would be remembered as one where emotional strength proved just as important as technical ability. "The psychological dimension feels every bit as important as the tactical one. This feels less like a match that will be decided by superiority, and more like one that will be shaped by emotional resilience, collective trust and the ability to remain calm when momentum changes."
Haaland's Connection to England
All eyes will be on Norway's super striker Erling Haaland, who admitted the World Cup quarter-final showdown would be a "funny game" because he was born in Yorkshire and could have been in Thomas Tuchel's team. Haaland was born in Leeds in 2000 while dad Alf-Inge played for the Premier League club. After moving to Man City, Haaland Snr hung up his boots and headed back to his native Norway with his superstar-in-waiting son – then three.
As a youngster, Erling was even pictured wearing a replica England shirt. But back in Norway he vanished from the Three Lions' radar and was recruited for the Vikings' U15 squad. He has played international football at every age level and since making his full debut aged 20 has scored 62 goals in 54 games for his adopted homeland. His seven goals in four games at the World Cup have turned him into soccer's hottest new global superstar. Now the Man City striker's 6ft 5in frame stands in the way of England ending 60 years of hurt.
Crowd Role and Unforgettable Moments
Askvik also highlighted the role of the crowd. "The relationship between the players and the supporters feels unusually alive, almost as if the emotional energy inside the stadium becomes an active part of the story." She added that one individual may become unforgettable: "Not necessarily because of statistics or goals, but because of one defining action at exactly the right moment. It could be a save, a pass, a defensive intervention or a moment of leadership that changes the emotional atmosphere of the entire match."
The deeper theme she perceives is resilience. "One team appears to discover something about itself under pressure."
