Norway face England with a place in the World Cup semi-finals at stake

Your World Cup ends Saturday

Norway face England in the World Cup quarter-final Saturday, with a place in the last four on the line (1) (3). A win here and you are two games from the trophy. The heat in the stadium is expected to be brutal, approaching 100 degrees with serious humidity.

The manager questions Haaland's hunger

Despite seven goals in four matches, Erling Haaland has been criticised by his own manager. "The hunger is not as great," Norway's coach said (5). It is a remarkable line about a striker level with Messi and Mbappé at the top of the World Cup scoring chart. No further context yet on what prompted it.

Haaland vs. the Man City dressing room

Micah Richards and Wayne Rooney both believe Haaland has an edge heading into this quarter-final. He knows the habits of his England-based club teammates inside out (4). "He knows everything about them, their weaknesses, what they don't like," Richards said. Rooney agreed it is a genuine advantage.

England's plan: start Spence, stop Haaland

Clinton Morrison has called for Djed Spence to start at right-back, arguing he is the one defender with the pace and physicality to match Haaland (6). Morrison also warned that England can be got at. Norway's attacking options beyond Haaland are deep, Odegaard, Nusa, Sorloth, Bobb, and Schjelderup all named as threats Tuchel must account for (6).

Saka backs Odegaard ahead of qualifier

Bukayo Saka has publicly supported his Arsenal teammate Martin Odegaard. "Saka has clearly backed his Arsenal colleague Martin Odegaard," ahead of an upcoming World Cup qualifier (2). A small note now but a reminder of the respect your captain commands across Europe.

Fan reactions

The biggest talking point among Norway fans ahead of kickoff is the weather. Temperatures are forecast near 100 degrees with punishing humidity, and supporters are already bracing for a match where both teams look drained. The fear is that Haaland's physical game will suffer in the conditions. Join the discussion on Reddit