We have said it before, an England led by Thomas Tuchel will depend on luck and individual performances to win the World Cup Norway.
England stops Erling Haaland with the same recipe that Norway uses to win
On Saturday at 11:00 p.m., there will be a bang in Miami.
The inflated English against Norway in the quarter-finals. We wish Børge Lillelien was still among us so that we could get more names of lords and prime ministers at about one o’clock last night.
Norway – cleverly played, perfectly dosed
The Norwegians have been matched wisely and sensibly – in an exemplary way. Waving goodbye to the France match in the group stage was met with question marks there and then, but in retrospect it has turned out to be brilliant. In the long run, it means that the key players have one game less in their legs than many of England’s stars.
Against the Ivory Coast, Norway was rock strong. Against Brazil, they were clearly the better team. They managed the ball better. Stood better in defence. Had the better goalkeeper – and also has perhaps the world’s best striker right now.
Key players Ødegaard and Haaland are in top form. In addition, they are big stars in England. No doubt that they lack respect for the opponent. No injuries or suspensions to interfere – and they go into the game with a fantastic feeling of having everything to win. It was also clear that they, not least Haaland, celebrated in moderation after the victory over Brazil. They sent a clear signal: “We have more to accomplish.”
England – shaky and injured
England comes to the match after a thriller against Mexico. They started shaky, before they scored two quick goals in two lucky minutes. Joel Quansah received a red card and is suspended. While Norway celebrated in moderation, the English were far more concerned with screaming, cheering and exploding in joy – so much so that Jordan Henderson broke his wrist in the celebration and is finished, both in this World Cup and in the national team.
That’s how it can go.
Norway vs England: Predicted line-ups in the battle for a semi-final place in the 2026 World Cup
England – vulnerable favourites
England will be favourites against Norway in a football match. But this England national team is certainly not unbeatable. Against Mexico, Pickford had to make several very sharp saves, and they were really in trouble for a while.
Now there will be changes in the starting eleven, and it is very possible that the players have more wear and tear in their bodies than the Norwegians. Remember that many matches are played in brutal heat.
In Norway, the whole country has followed Haaland and Ødegaard at Manchester City and Arsenal. And if there is one team in the world that Norwegians really want to beat – besides Sweden (which is not that difficult) – it is England.
Penalties – an extra spice
Another thought: Norway wins on penalties at 13.00 odds. It’s not a real World Cup before England have lost a penalty shootout, is it?
Manchester United are back – serious about Julian Ryerson!
