Norway's manager Ståle Solbakken has given his team the licence to dream big – labelling England favourites to progress to the semi-finals of the World Cup. The highly anticipated quarter-final clash between the two nations is set to kick off on Saturday at 22:00 BST in Miami, with Norway looking to spring a major upset after sensationally knocking out five-time world champions Brazil in the last 16.
Solbakken played down England's strong position, insisting his team aren't "big, big favourites" – but instead focusing on their own preparation and freshness going into the high-stakes match. The former Wolves boss believes that once the whistle blows, any external pressure will melt away, allowing Norway to focus on delivering a performance they can be proud of.
The likes of Arsenal's title-winning captain Martin Ødegaard and Manchester City's prolific forward Erling Haaland are sure to cause problems for England's backline – but Solbakken is keen to stress that this match isn't just about individual brilliance. He wants his team to take the game away from Kane and Co, rather than relying on their star strikers to bail them out.
Ståle Solbakken was effusive in his praise for England's performance against Mexico – particularly with 10 men – and highlighted the threat posed by the likes of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane when given space to operate. He acknowledged that Norway won't be able to dominate possession like they did against Brazil, but instead focused on exploiting England's weaknesses through targeted runs and set-pieces.
For Norway, this World Cup has been a fairytale so far – with their quarter-final appearance marking the furthest they've progressed since 1998. Solbakken, who was part of that team, knows how much this run means to the nation, and is urging his players to make the most of this historic moment.
The winner of Saturday's clash will go on to face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals next Wednesday at 20:00 BST in Atlanta – with a spot in the showpiece final on July 19 up for grabs. Will Norway have what it takes to cause another major upset, or will England's favourites tag hold true? The world will be watching as these two nations clash in Miami.