- England's assistant manager Anthony Barry has urged the team to "take the handbrake off" and "go all in" for their World Cup quarter-final against Norway. The squad, managed by Thomas Tuchel, is confident they have more to demonstrate, having already secured comeback victories against DR Congo and Mexico in the knockout stages. Barry emphasised the team's readiness, stating their "petrol tank is full" and "foot is on the gas," believing they are capable of a cohesive and exciting performance. Here are five key points to watch before the big game:
- Right-back roulette. Thomas Tuchel’s right-back headache continues after Jarell Quansah received a two-match ban for his red card in last weekend’s last-16 win over Mexico. Reece James has still not been taking part in full training following the hamstring injury he picked up in the second group game against Ghana over two weeks ago, while Djed Spence was taken off during the last-32 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ezri Konsa moved over following Quansah’s red in Mexico City while Declan Rice has also filled in there.
- Miami Heat. One of the biggest talking points before the tournament was how England would have to cope in the heat, but they have played five games where it has not been an issue. They played indoors twice and then had inclement weather in Boston, New York and Mexico City. While they have been training in searing conditions in Kansas City, they now return to the tropical heat of Florida, where temperatures will feel above 40 degrees Celsius. Again, perhaps fortune is on their side as they meet another European team when it could have been Brazil.
- Stopping Haaland: Coming between England and a place in the semi-finals is a man that they know very well.Erling Haaland has spearheaded Norway’s historic run to the quarter-finals, scoring seven goals in four games. Stopping the Manchester City striker will be key to England’s success and in the shape of Marc Guehi, John Stones and Nico O’Reilly they have inside information. Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard has been another key player for Norway, whose ability to hurt teams on the break has seen them get further than they have before at a World Cup. In many ways, this could be a much tougher assignment than the trip to the Azteca Stadium.
- The comedown: The historic 3-2 win over Mexico on Sunday, where England laid to rest the ghost of Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’, has been romanticised as one of the best results in their recent history.The way they overcame a host of challenges, including the altitude, a vociferous home crowd and Quansah’s red card made for a memorable win for fans.But its legacy is dependent on the result against Norway. If England were to win and go further in the tournament, it will gain more weight, but if Tuchel’s side end their run with a whimper in Miami, the Mexico win will not stand the test of time.It was a hugely emotional victory, where lots of energy was spent, so England will have to make sure it was not in vain.
- History: England are heading towards the business end of a major tournament again as they continue their way through the knockout stages. But the prize for beating Norway is something that they have only experienced twice in 60 years. Sir Bobby Robson’s team went to the last four of Italia 90 and then the 2018 crop under Sir Gareth Southgate also got to the semi-finals. It is not something that happens to England very often. But their recent success of winning knockout ties, both in the World Cup and European Championship, should put them in good stead.
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