Manager Erling Haaland is making sure Wayne Rooney has remembered his vows by the river ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final match against Norway. The Three Lions icon famously bet that if the Scandinavian team beat Brazil in the Round of 16, he would row the River Mersey.
He said: “If Norway makes it to the quarter-finals, I’m going to go into the Mersey and row down it.” And that’s exactly what happened, with Haaland’s two goals helping Norway reach the quarter-finals for the first time in the country’s history. Their talismans take great pleasure in keeping their promises to Rooney.
Ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final, he said: “Wayne, I’m looking forward to meeting you, Wayne.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Wayne Rooney rowing for Liverpool. That’s all I want to see right now. Wayne Rooney, I’m looking forward to seeing you rowing.”
Meanwhile, Rooney addressed his bet in the immediate aftermath of Norway’s stunning victory, revealing he had been trying to bring in several colleagues.
When prompted by BBC presenter Kerry Cates, he replied: “Was that me?”
Rooney added: “I’m a man of my word. Mika (Richards) has agreed to work with me. We’re a team.”
“One thing I can say is, we’re doing so much that when we’re in New York, it might have to be the Hudson River, if the BBC would classify it.”
Then fellow critic Joe Hart threw in his oars and declared that he would be happy to join Rooney on the water, saying, “I’ll cross the Hudson River with you.”
But Rooney’s humiliation didn’t end there. BBC Sport then created a mock graphic showing the former striker in an England shirt rowing down the River Mersey, with the Liverpool skyline behind him, with the caption: “To you.”
Despite Rooney’s pledge, Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham appears to have alternative plans on how to realize his bet.
he said: “Instead, let’s get a rowboat or put into service the brand new £26 million Mersey Ferry. How about replacing the captain’s chair and oars?”
Rooney’s original bet was inspired by Norway’s post-match boat celebration at the World Cup. One player beats the drum as supporters and teammates imitate rowing movements.
England supporters will no doubt be hoping for no celebrations after Saturday’s match in Miami. The winner of this matchup will advance to the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta, where they will face either Switzerland or Argentina.
