Norway and England are preparing to face each other in a World Cup quarter-final match in Miami. Both teams secured impressive victories in their respective round of 16 encounters. England is making its eleventh quarter-final appearance in the tournament, a figure surpassed only by Brazil and Germany. Norway, however, is reaching this stage of the competition for the first time in its history.
Ståle Solbakken‘s Norwegian side has been described as a “dark horse” of the tournament. They advanced from a challenging Group I, which included France, before defeating Côte d’Ivoire and five-time champions Brazil to reach the last eight. Solbakken’s squad features several players with experience in the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel’s England team has navigated a challenging path through the World Cup. Their recent victory in Mexico City is considered one of the country’s most significant at a major tournament, fostering a belief within the squad that they can contend for the title. Solbakken acknowledged England as favourites but emphasized that they are not overwhelming favourites for the match.
Key Players and Tactical Approaches
A central figure for Norway is Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals during their run to the quarter-finals. England’s strategy will likely involve limiting Haaland’s opportunities, as he is known for his clinical finishing and ability to create chances from minimal service. Norway’s patient build-up play, as demonstrated in their victory over Brazil, allows them to control the game and utilize their wingers effectively. Solbakken’s long tenure as coach has contributed to the team’s understanding and cohesion.
Haaland’s movement within the box, particularly his ability to evade defenders’ sightlines before making explosive runs, makes him a formidable threat. He also possesses a range of finishing techniques, including one-touch finishes and powerful shots through crowded areas. Despite Haaland’s prominence, Norway is not considered a “one-man team.” Other players like Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, and Martin Ødegaard have also shown their quality throughout the tournament.
England’s attacking prowess is highlighted by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who have been key contributors. Kane has scored six goals in five games, while the pair combined for all three goals in the victory against Mexico. England’s ability to transition quickly could create numerous chances, particularly with Bellingham’s runs into the box. However, England has kept only two clean sheets in the tournament, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in their defence.
The match is expected to be a demanding encounter, potentially going the full 120 minutes. The hot conditions in Miami are anticipated to be a significant factor, influencing the tempo of the game. Both teams may adopt a slower pace when in possession to cope with the heat. Solbakken noted that Norway had 66.4% possession against Brazil but does not expect a similar figure against England.
Team News and Preparations
Norway’s team doctor, Ola Sand, has confirmed that all players are healthy after a sickness bug affected preparations. This means Solbakken will have his full squad available for selection, with decisions to be made regarding the wide positions. Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sørloth have been preferred options, but Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup also played crucial roles in the round of 16 win. The predicted lineup for Norway includes Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Berge, Berg, Ødegaard; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa.
England faces some fitness concerns. Marc Guéhi is managing a hamstring strain, and Declan Rice is dealing with an illness, having missed a training session. On a positive note, 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 following a red card against Mexico, leading to a decision between Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa at right-back. John Stones and potentially Dan Burn could feature at centre-back, depending on Guéhi’s fitness. Jordan Henderson is out indefinitely with a broken arm. The predicted lineup for England is Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guéhi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
The quarter-final match will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, United States, on Saturday, July 11.
Match Details
The match is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. PT, and 10 p.m. BST. The referee for the game will be Clément Turpin from France. The winner of this quarter-final will advance to face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Norway’s journey to this stage marks their furthest progression in a World Cup since 1998, having united the country with their performances. Solbakken expressed admiration for England’s recent performance against Mexico, noting their ability to cope with setbacks and the quality of players like Bellingham and Kane. He also mentioned that his team has been training lightly to ensure freshness for the upcoming match in the Miami heat.
The match is set for Saturday, July 11.
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Source: si.com
As News-UK's Sports News Writer, Oscar Pennington reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He built a reputation for sharp explainer pieces on regional sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Oscar lives in Nottingham, where he follows the pro golf tour and amateur boxing. “Context is what turns a result into a story.”
