Norway, supported by Erling Haaland, has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, where they will meet England, featuring Harry Kane. This match is scheduled for Saturday in Miami.
Battle for the 'Golden Boot'
Haaland and Kane are in a fierce battle for the tournament's top scorer title, alongside Lionel Messi from Argentina and Kylian Mbappé from France. Haaland demonstrated high scoring efficiency, netting his sixth and seventh goals in his World Cup debut, helping his team defeat Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16.
England's Success in the Tournament
England's 3-2 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16 was described as thrilling and unforgettable, and noted as the greatest victory for the 'Three Lions' on foreign soil. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham scored three goals in this match. Former England captain Wayne Rooney stated that the team showed outstanding play and is capable of going all the way through the tournament, emphasizing the huge boost of confidence this gives the players.
Alan Shearer, another former England captain, remarked that this win will give the team belief in its abilities within the competition. Although England was initially considered a favorite, a weak group stage lowered expectations. They then had to come back in score to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32, leading to the challenging encounter at Estadio Azteca.
Preparation for the Match in Mexico
The team arrived in Mexico to play on Sunday, knowing they were fighting for history, with much of the pre-match attention focused on the difficulties of playing at high altitude. The co-host teams, supported by fans, had not lost in the previous 10 World Cup matches at this stadium and had only lost twice in 89 official games.
Coach and Player Comments
England's coach Thomas Tuchel, tasked with winning the first English World Cup in 60 years, chose a more reserved reaction, praising his players' mentality. He stated: 'We did it with pure mentality, with heart, overcoming all the obstacles thrown at us.' The German emphasized that such performances would not have been possible if his team was not 'united by the right spirit.'
Bellingham urged his teammates to believe in themselves, stating that they should not be afraid of anyone. The Real Madrid midfielder noted that being part of an England team that gives so much to the country and experiences such moments and nights is no less than anything in his career and life.
Challenges Ahead
Now England faces a unique challenge—stopping the onslaught of Haaland, who regularly dominates defenses in the Premier League and is one of the leaders in the race for the 'Golden Boot' alongside Messi and Mbappé. If England reaches the final in New Jersey on July 19th, they might face the tournament favorites—France. However, the 'Three Lions' lack the championship experience of Argentina or the lethal firepower of the French. Nevertheless, Kane and Bellingham have two world-class players, and team spirit could be their twelfth player.
Upcoming Fixtures
Confirmed quarter-final matches include: France versus Morocco on Thursday, July 9th, at Boston Stadium; Spain versus Belgium on Friday, July 10th, at Los Angeles Stadium; Norway versus England on July 11th in Miami.