England captain Harry Kane has labelled Erling Haaland 'a machine' but insisted they are completely different players as they prepare to face off in the World Cup quarterfinal.

'I think we're completely different players. I know we're both strikers, but we're in almost two different positions,' Kane told his pre-match news conference on Friday.

Haaland has struck seven times in his first four matches at a major tournament, including a devastating double to eliminate Brazil, carrying Norway into the last eight for the first time.

Kane is one goal behind the Manchester City striker in the tournament and has taken his overall World Cup record to 14 goals. 'Erling is incredible. His goalscoring record, physically, he's a machine, he's a beast. His finishing is at the highest level,' Kane said.

'I see myself as a different player, although I score the same goals. I like to maybe touch the ball a little bit more, be involved with the play a little bit more, but also can play as maybe the out-and-out number nine,' he added.

Kane won the Golden Boot in 2018 but stressed his primary aim is World Cup glory. 'My main goal is to win the World Cup more than another Golden Boot, but I also know I'm a goalscorer, so if I'm scoring goals, it's obviously going to help the team,' he said.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken said the showdown between Haaland and Kane will go a long way in deciding the match. 'I think it's Norway versus England, but I don't think it is a secret that Kane is the match winner number one for England and Haaland is the match winner number one for us,' Solbakken said.

Norway are in their first major tournament in 26 years and have exceeded expectations, notably with a stunning 2-1 win against Brazil thanks to Haaland's late double.

'Every game has been the most important for Norwegian football, especially in the knockout rounds, so this is the third time it is the most important game,' Solbakken added. 'I think England has more pressure than us, but we also put pressure on our performance.'

Source: www.aljazeera.com