Norway and England are set to meet in a World Cup quarter-final match in Miami. Both teams are coming off significant victories in the round of 16, with a spot in the semi-finals at stake.
England is making its 11th quarter-final appearance in the tournament, a record surpassed only by Brazil and Germany. For Norway, this marks their first time reaching this stage of the competition.
Ståle Solbakken‘s Norway side has been described as a ‘dark horse’, having advanced from a challenging Group I before defeating Côte d’Ivoire and Brazil to reach the last eight. Many players on Norway‘s roster have experience in the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel‘s England team secured a victory in Mexico City in the previous round. This win has reportedly generated belief within the squad that they can achieve a second World Cup title.
Key Players and Team Dynamics
Norway‘s Erling Haaland is a significant threat, known for his ability to create scoring opportunities. England will need to focus on limiting his service. Haaland has scored seven goals during Norway‘s run to the quarter-finals.
Despite Haaland‘s prominence, Norway is not considered a one-man team. Players like Antonio Nusa, Alexander Sørloth, and Oscar Bobb have also made notable contributions. Martin Ødegaard, who plays for Arsenal, has been crucial in linking play from midfield.
England‘s key players include Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who combined for all three goals in their last match in Mexico City. Kane has scored six times in five games in the tournament. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon also had strong performances against Mexico.
Norway‘s coach, Ståle Solbakken, has praised England, acknowledging them as favourites for the match. He noted that England‘s ability to cope with setbacks, as demonstrated in their 3-2 win against Mexico despite a red card, shows their character.
The match is expected to be a demanding one, potentially going the full 120 minutes. The conditions in Miami, including the heat, are anticipated to influence the tempo of the game, with both teams possibly adopting a slower pace in possession.
Team News and Preparations
Norway‘s team doctor, Ola Sand, has stated that all players are healthy after a sickness bug affected preparations. This means Solbakken should have his full squad available for selection.
A predicted lineup for Norway (4-3-3) includes Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Berge, Berg, Ødegaard; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa.
England has some fitness concerns. Marc Guéhi is managing a hamstring strain, and Declan Rice has been dealing with an illness, missing training on Thursday. Reece James is back in action after missing three games due to a hamstring issue, though he is unlikely to start. Jarell Quansah is suspended for two games.
A predicted lineup for England (4-2-3-1) features Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guéhi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
The quarter-final match will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, United States, with Clément Turpin from France serving as the referee.
Tactical Considerations
England‘s defensive control has been a point of discussion, with only two clean sheets recorded in the tournament so far. With Haaland‘s current form, Tuchel‘s backline may face challenges.
Norway‘s patient build-up play, as seen in their victory over Brazil, involves keeping control of the game and utilising wingers effectively. Their coach, Ståle Solbakken, has been with the team for an extended period, which is believed to contribute to their cohesion.
The match is expected to be a tactical battle, with England aiming to exploit transition spaces, particularly with Bellingham‘s runs into the box. Norway‘s fluid midfield and dribbling wingers could also pose problems for England‘s defence.
Solbakken noted that Norway had 66.4% possession in their win against Brazil, but he does not anticipate a similar amount against England. The winner of this quarter-final will advance to face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.
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Source: si.com
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Joel Kavanagh is a Sports News Writer at News-GB. He started on a Midlands sports desk. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from De Montfort University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Leicester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight calendar. “In sport news, the first ten minutes decide everything.”