England Plot to Stop Haaland's 7-Goal Norway Threat in World Cup Quarter-Final

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 10

England's route to the final four may hinge on disrupting Norway's build-up before Erling Haaland — with seven World Cup goals — can be supplied in dangerous areas.
Norway's threat starts with Orjan Nyland's distribution: they can play short through overloads at the back or go long to 6ft 5in Alexander Sorloth on the right, making a full man-to-man press risky.
Thomas Tuchel's side may instead press selectively, potentially pushing Declan Rice higher to force longer passes while keeping enough cover around Haaland rather than leaving him isolated one-on-one.
Wide defending is another dilemma because Norway create for Haaland through Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup, often using David Moller Wolfe's underlapping runs to open back-post crosses and cut-backs.
England's best attacking answer could be sustained possession and quick counters, with Nico O'Reilly's overlaps and runners such as Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham and Noni Madueke targeting spaces Norway leave when they commit forward.