Quarter-final clash in Miami
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has stated that England are the favourites to advance to the semi-finals of the World Cup. The two teams are set to meet in a quarter-final match in Miami on Saturday. Solbakken acknowledged England’s strong position but also noted that they are not overwhelming favourites.
The match, scheduled for a 22:00 BST kick-off, will see England, who defeated Mexico 3-2 in the last 16, face a Norway side that impressively knocked out five-time world champions Brazil. Solbakken believes England carry more pressure into the game, though he also emphasised his team’s own performance expectations.
This encounter marks Norway’s first World Cup quarter-final appearance, having not reached this stage since 1998. Their journey to the last eight has included victories over Iraq, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Brazil, with striker Erling Haaland scoring seven goals in the tournament.
The winners of this quarter-final will proceed to face either Argentina or Switzerland next Wednesday in Atlanta, vying for a spot in the final on July 19.
Key players and team dynamics
Norway’s squad features several players with experience in the Premier League, including Arsenal‘s captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland. Solbakken highlighted that facing England and Brazil represents significant historical challenges for Norway in the World Cup.
Much attention has been placed on the individual battle between Haaland and England captain Harry Kane, who has scored six goals in five matches. However, Solbakken stressed that the match is a contest between Norway and England as teams, rather than a direct duel between the two prolific strikers.
He acknowledged both Kane and Haaland as primary match-winners for their respective nations but cautioned against underestimating other players in the Norway squad. Solbakken pointed out that Haaland relies on service from his teammates.
England’s manager Thomas Tuchel has been praised for his team’s performance, particularly in their victory over Mexico, where they overcame adversity after a red card to defender Jarell Quansah. Solbakken noted England’s ability to get their key players, such as Jude Bellingham and Kane, into effective positions.
Norway’s tactical approach against Brazil saw them maintain 66.4% possession. However, Solbakken does not anticipate a similar level of possession against England, citing the hot Miami conditions and his team’s focus on freshness for the match.
The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will host the match. England have reached the quarter-finals for the third consecutive World Cup, and their experience in major tournaments is seen as an advantage. However, Norway’s fearless performance against Brazil suggests they are capable of challenging another strong opponent.
Concerns about a viral outbreak in the Norway camp have been downplayed by team doctor Ola Sand, who stated the situation is under control. Despite this, some players like David Moller Wolfe and Marcus Pedersen have faced fitness issues. Julian Ryerson, who played over an hour against Brazil, is expected to retain his place.
For England, Reece James has returned to training and could potentially replace the suspended Jarell Quansah. Marc Guehi and Declan Rice are listed as doubts, while Jordan Henderson is unavailable due to injury.
Norway’s attacking prowess is evident from their performance in European qualification, where they were the top scorers with 37 goals, including seven against Italy. Their growth as a team was noted even before the tournament, and they have lived up to expectations by reaching this stage.
Despite their offensive strength, Norway has not kept a clean sheet in their last seven games, indicating a potential defensive vulnerability that England’s attack may exploit. England, on the other hand, demonstrated strong counter-attacking qualities against Mexico.
The individual performances of players like Jude Bellingham, who scored two goals and made a crucial defensive intervention against Mexico, have been highlighted. Bellingham is considered a strong contender for the Golden Ball award.
Solbakken, who played for Norway in the 1998 World Cup, expressed how the team’s current run has united the country, with the whole of Norway eagerly anticipating the match on Saturday, July 11.
Source: bbc.co.uk