Norway's Media Rally Behind Underdogs
Norwegian press have issued a stark warning to England ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final in Miami. Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions, overwhelming favourites, face a history-making Norway side that shocked Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16. Erling Haaland scored twice against Brazil, becoming joint-top scorer with seven goals.
Norway's Dagbladet ran the headline 'Poor England', suggesting Tuchel will be "dreading the exam at Ståle Solbakken's management school." They also recalled Norway's 2-1 win over England in 1981. Another outlet, NRK, declared: "Now England awaits in the World Cup quarter-finals. We can beat anyone."
Haaland's Heroics and Norway's Historic Run
Norway reached their first World Cup quarter-final by topping a group that included France, Iraq, and Senegal. Despite a 4-1 loss to France with a rotated squad, they beat Iraq 4-1 and Senegal 3-2. In the knockout stage, they defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 before stunning Brazil.
VG quoted former Norwegian international Carl-Erik Torp, who said: "It was a pretty lame Argentine team against Cape Verde. I was at England against Congo in Atlanta. That defence looks shaky. I don't fear any of them. This Norway team is an incredibly good team."
England's Gruelling Path to Quarter-Finals
England topped their group with a 4-2 win over Croatia, a 0-0 draw with Ghana, and a 2-0 victory over Panama. They beat DR Congo in the round of 32 and overcame Mexico 3-2 despite playing with 10 men for over 100 minutes at high altitude. Defensive frailties have been a concern.
TV 2 pundit Yaw Amankwah said: "I'm glad they got over 100 minutes of thin air up high towards Mexico. I hope they're tired and tender."
What's at Stake
England's star-studded squad, including Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, are favourites, but Norway believe they can cause another upset. The winner will face Argentina or Cape Verde in the semi-finals.
