Line up expectations, stats and where to watch as the Three Lions look for a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup
Manchester City defender Nico O’Reilly hopes England can deal with the threat of Erling Haaland as the club have insider knowledge of the Norwegian striker.
The Three Lions may meet three players from Haaland who are or have played with the City team after four on Saturday night when these teams face each other in Miami in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Haaland has scored seven goals in four games in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including a brace as Stale Solbakken’s side beat Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16.
O’Reilly said: “Erling is Erling. We all know what he’s like. He scores goals, he’s dangerous in the box and he’s really dangerous.”
O’Reilly will start at left-back and could be joined by Marc Guehi, a fit, and John Stones, who left the Etihad at the end of last season.
Guehi is a doubt with a hamstring injury but, if he does play, England will have plenty of first-hand experience against the former Borussia Dortmund man.
O’Reilly added: “I think there’s a part in it and keeping Erling quiet gives us a real chance to win the game given all the threats he can pose, an unbelievable, world-class striker. He’s shown that throughout this tournament, scoring goals in every game he’s played. But mostly we’re focusing on ourselves and our game rather than his focus.”
Haaland said yesterday that all the pressure was on England given their level as favourites, but O’Reilly was not prepared to bite, replying: “It can be a mental game. They are a good team and they have shown that throughout the tournament. It is not just some players that we have to worry about, they are good together and it will be a good game, a good game.”
Norway surpassed expectations to reach the last 8 and their former striker Tore Andre Flo, who played in England with Chelsea and Sunderland, feels that the game at the Hard Rock Stadium represents a turning point for the Scandinavians.
He told BBC 5 Live Breakfast: “Everyone in Norway is very happy. We’re full of confidence at the moment and we don’t feel too much pressure. It’s a great way to go into such a big game for Norwegians.
“It has been 28 years since Norway was last in the World Cup, so everyone is happy to be there knowing that we have a great team with good players and players full of confidence and in good form.”
Flo believes that stopping Haaland is England’s best route to success but is not sure how they do it.
“I don’t think that will be very easy, you know, because he always scores goals,” he added.
“The defenders try to stop him but he seems to find a way to score goals no matter where he plays or when.
“He’s in great form, he doesn’t touch the ball that much and he doesn’t need to, but he’s ready when it comes to him.”
England stunned Mexico on Sunday night to secure their place in the last eight but Arsenal midfielder Bukayo Saka said it was time to move on and focus on the future.
“We discussed that we have to put the drama and emotions of the Mexico game behind now,” he said. “We have received all the accolades and everything that has come with it, but now we have to focus on Norway, which will be a tough challenge.
“We are completely focused and we are buzzing that we are winning.
“Norway is a very good team – they play with confidence and directness and that has worked for them so far.”
