England are favourites to reach the World Cup semi-finals, according to Norway head coach Stale Solbakken ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final clash in Miami.
Speaking to BBC Sport in an interview with sports editor Dan Roan, Solbakken said: “They are favourites, but they’re not big, big favourites.”
The two nations meet at 22:00 BST on Saturday, with the winners advancing to face either Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta next Wednesday for a place in the 19 July final.
Norway arrive at the quarter-final stage having already produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, knocking out five-time world champions Brazil in the last 16.
Solbakken, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, believes the pressure of expectation falls more heavily on England’s shoulders heading into the tie.
“I think England have more pressure than us,” he told reporters at a news conference at the Miami Stadium. “But we also put pressure on our performance. Once the game starts I don’t think the players think about the pressure.”
Much of the pre-match attention has centred on the duel between Erling Haaland and England captain Harry Kane, but Solbakken was keen to frame the contest as a team battle rather than a personal shootout.
“It’s not a secret that Kane is match-winner number one for England and Erling is match-winner number one for us,” Solbakken said, before insisting: “It’s Norway against England.”
Haaland has been in devastating form throughout Norway’s historic run, scoring seven goals across the tournament as his country reach the quarter-finals for the first time since making their only previous World Cup appearance back in 1998.
“There’s no doubt that he [Haaland] is our biggest match-winner, but I think you underestimate some of the other players if you think that’s the whole theme,” Solbakken added. “He also needs service but you can’t deny that he is a big, big match-winner for us.”
Kane, meanwhile, has scored six times in five games for England, who battled past co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in the last 16 despite having defender Jarell Quansah sent off in the 54th minute at the Azteca Stadium.
Solbakken expressed admiration for how England manager Thomas Tuchel has set his side up, highlighting the variety of match-winners available across the squad.
“Jude Bellingham and Kane score from great positions,” he said. “I think the most impressive [England] game came when they were better than Mexico. Mexico created very few chances and I think Tuchel managed to get their best players in good position.”
He added: “They have several options on the wings which means that if one doesn’t have the day, another comes in and then obviously does something good, then steady out in the middle of the park with Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice.”
Norway’s squad is stacked with Premier League quality, featuring Arsenal’s title-winning captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester City striker Haaland, who will be familiar faces to English football supporters.
The Norwegians dominated possession against Brazil, recording a 66.4% share during their memorable victory, though Solbakken does not anticipate a similar pattern against England on Saturday.
“No I don’t,” he said plainly. “It’s getting hotter. We have trained very lightly. We’ve not done as much hard work [in training]. We have had technical sessions but in a lower tempo. It’s all about being fresh for tomorrow.”
Solbakken also used his news conference to deliver a heartfelt tribute to former Liverpool and England captain Kevin Keegan, 75, who revealed in June that he has stage four cancer.
“My biggest regret in World Cup history is that Kevin Keegan did not score when he came on against Spain in 1982,” said Solbakken, 58, who himself represented Norway at the 1998 World Cup. “He was my big hero. I hope Kevin is well. My team was Liverpool and Kevin was my man. So I say hello to Kevin.”
