England and Norway meet in Miami with Haaland and Kane in focus

England and Norway meet Saturday night in Miami for a place in the World Cup semifinals, with Al Jazeera reporting that the quarterfinal brings together two European sides with very different tournament stories. Norway reached the last eight after beating Brazil in the round of 16, while England are trying to reach a fourth semifinal and avoid another quarterfinal exit.

Al Jazeera said Norway are playing in their first World Cup since 1998 and have now won the first two knockout matches in their history. England, coached by Thomas Tuchel, advanced after a 3-2 win over Mexico in which they protected a late lead with 10 men.

Strikers lead the buildup

Erling Haaland and Harry Kane enter the match as two of the tournament’s leading scorers, according to Al Jazeera. Haaland has seven goals in four appearances after scoring the winner against Ivory Coast and both Norway goals in the 2-1 win over Brazil.

Al Jazeera reported that Haaland has scored in 14 consecutive appearances for Norway, producing 27 goals in that run, and now has 62 goals in 54 caps. He is one goal behind Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race and one ahead of Kane.

Kane has scored in several key moments for England, Al Jazeera said, including two goals against Croatia, another against Panama, both goals in the comeback win over DR Congo and a penalty that proved decisive against Mexico. The report noted that Kane and Haaland have faced each other only twice on the same pitch, in the 2022-23 Premier League season, when each had one win and one goal.

England’s defensive choice

One issue for Tuchel is how to limit Haaland, with Al Jazeera pointing to Dan Burn as a possible option. Burn, a 6-foot-7 Newcastle centre-back, came on for the final 15 minutes against Mexico and helped England defend crosses during a long closing spell.

Al Jazeera reported that Haaland has scored once in eight matches against Burn since joining Manchester City in 2022. The outlet also said Haaland has one goal in 406 minutes against Ezri Konsa, while he had seven goals in five matches against Marc Guehi before Guehi moved to Manchester City.

Midfield and right-back concerns

Norway captain Martin Odegaard was central to the win over Brazil, Al Jazeera reported, carrying the ball forward 61 times and completing 101 of 109 passes. Brazil had 33.6 percent possession, which Al Jazeera said was their lowest share in a World Cup match.

England also struggled for possession against Mexico, recording their lowest share since records began, according to Al Jazeera. Declan Rice may be key to disrupting Odegaard, though the report said Rice has dealt with neural pain affecting his lower back and hamstring for months.

England also have uncertainty at right-back. Al Jazeera reported that Reece James has missed three matches with a hamstring injury, Tino Livramento is out with a calf injury, and Jarell Quansah is suspended after his red card against Mexico. Norway’s left side could test that area through Antonio Nusa or Andreas Schjelderup, who assisted both Haaland goals against Brazil after coming on at halftime.

Heat may shape the match

Conditions in Miami could be another factor. Al Jazeera reported that the forecast is about 33C, or 91F, with 58 percent humidity for a 5pm local kickoff, and thunderstorms are possible.

Norway have played more of their tournament matches in hot, humid outdoor conditions, according to Al Jazeera. England have had matches under a roof, in air-conditioned Atlanta and in cooler Mexico City, while two of the hottest group-stage games were played in Miami.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.