Norway and England are set to meet in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami, with both teams coming off significant victories in the round of 16. England is making its 11th quarter-final appearance in the tournament, while Norway has reached this stage for the first time in its history.
Ståle Solbakken‘s Norwegian side has been described as a ‘dark horse’, having advanced from a challenging Group I and then defeating Côte d’Ivoire and five-time champions Brazil to reach the last eight. Many players on Norway’s roster have experience in the Premier League, facing England’s top clubs regularly.
Team Preparations and Concerns
Thomas Tuchel‘s England team has navigated a challenging path through the tournament, with their recent victory in Mexico City being highlighted as one of the country’s notable performances in a major competition. There is a strong belief within the England camp that they can secure a second star for their jersey.
Norway’s victory over Brazil in the previous round was a significant achievement, though it was overshadowed by England’s triumph in Mexico. Tuchel has reportedly fostered a strong sense of unity within the England squad, building on the foundation laid by Sir Gareth Southgate.
Despite their recent success, England is not underestimating Norway, acknowledging the threat posed by Erling Haaland‘s ability to create scoring opportunities. Solbakken’s team is also noted for its effective pressing and clear play when in possession, drawing comparisons to Kasper Hjulmand‘s Denmark but with a standout attacking player.
Norway’s team doctor, Ola Sand, has indicated that all players are healthy following a sickness bug that affected preparations. This means Solbakken should have a full squad available, with decisions to be made regarding wide players such as Antonio Nusa, Alexander Sørloth, Oscar Bobb, and Andreas Schjelderup. Patrick Berg, captain of Bødo/Glimt, has established himself in the midfield alongside Martin Ødegaard and Sander Berge.
England, meanwhile, has some fitness concerns. Marc Guéhi is managing a hamstring strain from the round of 16, and Declan Rice missed a training session due to illness. Reece James has returned to action after missing three games with a hamstring issue, though he is unlikely to start. Jarell Quansah faces a two-game suspension after being sent off against Mexico, leaving Tuchel to choose between Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa at right-back. John Stones and potentially Dan Burn are options at centre-back, depending on Guéhi’s fitness. Jordan Henderson is out indefinitely with a broken arm.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. BST.
Key Players and Tactical Considerations
Erling Haaland is a central figure for Norway, having scored seven goals during their run to the quarter-finals. England’s strategy will involve limiting his service, as he is known for his clinical finishing and ability to exploit defensive spaces. Haaland’s movement within the box makes him difficult to mark, and he possesses a range of finishing techniques, including one-touch shots and efforts from around the back post.
Norway’s patient build-up play, as demonstrated in their win against Brazil, involves maintaining possession and utilising wingers effectively. The team’s cohesion is attributed to the long tenure of coach Solbakken. Beyond Haaland, players like Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb on the wings, and Martin Ødegaard in midfield, contribute significantly to Norway’s attacking threat. Ødegaard, an Arsenal player, is noted for linking play from higher midfield positions and exploiting pockets of space.
England’s attacking prowess is highlighted by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who combined for all three goals against Mexico. Kane has scored six goals in five games in the tournament. The team’s ability to transition quickly could create opportunities, particularly with Bellingham making runs into the box. Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka also had strong performances against Mexico.
The match conditions in Miami, including the heat, are expected to influence the tempo of the game, potentially leading to periods where both teams play at a slower pace. Solbakken acknowledged that England are favourites but stressed that Norway also places pressure on its own performance. He also noted that while Haaland is Norway’s primary match-winner, the team is not solely reliant on him, and other players contribute to their success. Norway had 66.4% possession in their win against Brazil.
The winner of this quarter-final will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.
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Source: si.com
