Borussia Dortmund Icons Reunite as Haaland & Bellingham Headline England vs Norway World Cup Quarterfinal

Borussia Dortmund players past and present have been able to be seen across the World Cup, but two of the best to come out of the Yellow Wall have been lighting it up on the world stage.

Erling Haaland, since leaving Borussia Dortmund, has now shown what was apparent to all Dortmund fans when he was at the club: that he is one of the world’s best strikers. Since his move to Manchester City, he has been electric, scoring 162 goals in 198 appearances. This goal tally is phenomenal, and off the back of this, there was the hope and expectation that he would continue this machine-like goal-scoring form for his national team, Norway, and he certainly has.

Since making his first appearance for Norway’s senior national team, he has played 54 games and scored an incredible 62 goals. These goals, along with the likes of current Borussia Dortmund player Julian Ryerson, Norway powered their way to the World Cup. 

But they haven't stopped there, as through the five games Norway have contested to this point, they have scored 12 goals, with Erling Haaland getting seven of them, placing himself firmly in the World Cup Golden Boot race. Now faced with the task of getting past England, Norway will feel significantly more confident knowing they have Erling Haaland up front for their side, and will be hoping that he, along with the rest of the Norwegian team, can take down England

But this isn't the same England side as years gone by, and they certainly haven’t had a big-moment player like former Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham in a long time. England of the past has had some amazing midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Paul Scholes are all players that come to mind, and while they were all gifted players for their clubs, they never really produced on the same level for the national team, but that is where Jude Bellingham is different. 

Since making his England debut, Jude Bellingham has made 53 appearances for England, scoring 10 goals. But what can also be noted is the number of big game goals that he gets involved in, as shown in this World Cup, where, managed by former Borussia Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel, he has scored crucial goals against Croatia and Mexico as well as registering a goal and an assist against Panama. 

And, just like Haaland, Borussia Dortmund fans will be fully aware of Jude Bellingham’s ability to contribute not only defensively, capable of playing in the deeper-lying positions, but also offensively as an attacking midfielder or even as a false nine. As in his time in Germany, Bellingham would score 24 goals in 132 games for the club, aged just 20 when he left the club after signing at 17 years old.

READ MORE: Karim Adeyemi to Barcelona: Who Could Borussia Dortmund Sign to Replace Him?

Now the two friends will turn into opponents for one game with their national sides, with a spot in the final four of the World Cup on the line, but the question is which of these former BVB icons will shine the brightest in their quarter-final clash and help push their country one step closer to World Cup greatness.

READ MORE: Barcelona Move for Karim Adeyemi Takes Shape as Borussia Dortmund Weigh Transfer Options