Norway has emerged as a surprise contender in the current World Cup, surpassing expectations with victories over Ivory Coast and Brazil. As England prepares to face them in the quarter-finals, manager Thomas Tuchel must devise a strategy to neutralize their tactical versatility and star striker Erling Haaland.
Norway’s build-up play relies on goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who often plays short to a wide back four and two central midfielders. When pressed, Nyland utilizes long diagonal balls to Alexander Sorloth on the right wing. England defender Nico O’Reilly will need to remain disciplined against this physical threat. England faces a choice between a high, man-to-man press, which risks leaving space for Haaland, or a more conservative defensive block, which might allow Norway to dictate the tempo through Martin Odegaard.
Defending against Haaland requires collective effort rather than individual marking. Norway creates chances by utilizing underlapping runs from full-back David Moller Wolfe, which opens space for wingers like Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup. To counter this, England may need to double up in wide areas or have Jude Bellingham drop deeper to solidify the midfield. Ultimately, England’s best defense may be maintaining possession and exploiting space during counter-attacks, as Norway often leaves gaps behind when they commit players forward.
