England favourites as Norway prepares for quarter-final
England is considered the favourite to advance to the World Cup semi-finals, according to Norway boss Stale Solbakken. The two teams are set to face each other in Miami on Saturday. Solbakken acknowledged England‘s status but noted they are not overwhelming favourites. He also suggested that England might be under more pressure than Norway, though his team also places importance on their own performance.
The Norway squad features several players with experience in the Premier League, including Arsenal‘s captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland. Solbakken highlighted the historical significance of facing Brazil and England in the tournament. The winner of this quarter-final match will proceed to face either Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta next Wednesday for a spot in the final.
Erling Haaland has been a key player for Norway, scoring seven goals during their run to the quarter-finals. This marks Norway‘s first World Cup appearance since 1998, and their furthest progression in the tournament. Their journey has included victories over Iraq, Senegal, and Brazil. The upcoming match has drawn comparisons between Haaland and England captain Harry Kane, who has scored in the tournament.
Solbakken emphasized that the match is between Norway and England, rather than a direct contest between Haaland and Kane. He acknowledged both players as primary match-winners for their respective teams but stressed that other players contribute significantly. England midfielder Morgan Rogers questioned if anyone has ever truly stopped Erling Haaland, indicating the challenge he presents. Nico O’Reilly, Haaland‘s teammate at Manchester City, suggested that preventing the ball from reaching him is key.
Haaland has scored his goals in quick succession throughout the tournament, with two goals against Iraq coming 14 minutes apart, two against Senegal 10 minutes apart, and two against Brazil 11 minutes apart. He expressed that playing against England is a “super special” game for him, given he was born in England and plays for an English club, facing some of his teammates. There are players who play for clubs in England, suggesting a degree of familiarity between the sides.
Tactical considerations and team focus
Stale Solbakken expressed admiration for England‘s performance, particularly their ability to overcome Mexico 3-2 in the last 16, despite defender Jarell Quansah receiving a red card in the 54th minute. Solbakken noted that Mexico created few chances in that match, and he believes England manager Thomas Tuchel effectively positioned his key players. He highlighted Jude Bellingham and Kane‘s ability to score from strong positions, and praised England‘s wing options and midfield stability with Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice.
Norway maintained 66.4% possession during their win against Brazil. However, Solbakken does not anticipate a similar level of possession against England. He mentioned that the team has been training lightly due to the heat, focusing on technical sessions at a lower tempo to ensure players are fresh for the match. England forward Bukayo Saka emphasized the need for his team to move past the emotions of their win against Mexico and concentrate fully on the challenge posed by Norway.
England faces some health concerns, with midfielder Declan Rice and defender Marc Guehi experiencing issues. Additionally, defender Jarell Quansah will be unavailable as he serves a two-match suspension following his red card against Mexico. Haaland, with a smile, suggested that all the pressure should be placed on the English players, acknowledging England as one of the clear favourites.
Community engagement and personal reflections
Thousands of Norway fans have travelled to Miami for what is considered one of the most significant football matches in the nation’s history. Solbakken, who played for Norway in their last World Cup appearance in 1998, noted that the team’s tournament run has united the country, with everyone in Norway anticipating the match. He also took a moment during his news conference to acknowledge his childhood idol, former Liverpool player Kevin Keegan.
Solbakken, who is a coach, recalled his biggest regret in World Cup history was that Kevin Keegan did not score against Spain in 1982. He described Keegan as his “big hero” and expressed well wishes for him. Solbakken shared that growing up, he watched “Match of the Day” from the late 1960s and early 1970s, where Liverpool was his team and Keegan was his favourite player.
The match between England and Norway is scheduled for Saturday, with a kick-off time of 22:00 BST.
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Source: bbc.com
