​Norway may have been touted by many as this World Cup’s dark horse, but their remarkable progress still feels like they’ve exceeded expectations. After finishing second in Group B, ahead of Senegal, they knocked out Ivory Coast and Brazil, scoring 12 goals across five games. Now they face England, who will be tasked with nullifying their threat and star striker Erling Haaland. So, what do Norway do best, and what might England boss Thomas Tuchel tweak to see his side reach the World Cup’s final four?
Norway’s attack is built on real variety, with Stale Solbakken’s men fluctuating between controlled possession and rapid breaks. This balance flows from their build-up play. From goal kicks, Orjan Nyland has shown excellent distribution. The team’s default is to play short, often aligning with a wide back four while the goalkeeper becomes a fifth option. Two holding midfielders present themselves centrally as outlets, creating a dense mid-block from which to progress. With so many players deep, Norway frequently overloads the backline, making it easier to advance upfield.
When short options aren’t available, Norway rely on a long-range escape route: Alexander Sorloth, standing 6ft 5in, is deployed on the right wing as a wide target man for diagonals. The pattern of long balls to Sorloth on the right is a recurring feature when Norway push forward. England’s left-back Nico O’Reilly will need to be alert to this, though the matchup is a more even contest than Norway have faced so far, given O’Reilly’s height and reach.
So how can you disrupt Norway’s varied build-up? There are several approaches, each with its own trade-offs, as with any tactical plan. The most straightforward option is a man-to-man press across the pitch. This press reduces their numerical advantage and, if Nyland goes long to Sorloth, O’Reilly may be physically capable of winning the duel. The risk, however, is that this approach leaves someone one-on-one with Haaland through the middle. In most games, coaches would prefer to have a spare man at the back, meaning two defenders would keep Haaland under surveillance while others press higher up the pitch.
If England drop off and block space, there are other considerations. A more conservative approach might involve a slightly lower block and a longer lines of engagement, effectively allowing Norway to slow the game and control the tempo while frustrating their opponents. Yet such a pragmatic stance carries its own drawbacks. Tuchel’s side, given its identity built around front-foot football, would risk appearing too passive or negative, which could clash with their established ethos.
Norway’s capacity to control tempo and move the ball with patience was evident in their performances against stronger teams, including Brazil. They can orchestrate build-up from the back, drawing opponents forward, then pivot rapidly into counterpressure or quick transitions through midfields and wide areas. Odegaard’s influence in midfield is critical not only for creative distribution but also for initiating quick, incisive holds and releases as part of their transition play.
In terms of personnel, Haaland remains the focal point of Norway’s attack, but the team’s success is not solely dependent on his finishing. They blend varied attacking options, with wingers and full-backs providing width and diagonal balls, while midfielders create overloads to sustain pressure and unlock the final third. Nyland’s distribution from the back is a vital component of their system, enabling them to progress through short passes or switch to longer, safer options when necessary.
For England to overcome Norway, Tuchel should weigh the benefits of a disciplined, balanced press against the risk of leaving Haaland untracked in space. A hybrid approach—pressing high with a compact structure while maintaining a ready shield against Haaland’s runs—could be effective. It would require careful line coordination, with players designated to pressure the ball carrier and others guarding the potential channels that Haaland exploits. England must also account for Sorloth’s aerial threat and the frequent long diagonals aimed at herding defenders into uncomfortable positions.
In short, Norway’s strength lies in their adaptable build-up, the symmetry between short, patient possession and rapid, direct attacking options, and a goalkeeper who contributes to their initiative from the back. England’s challenge is to temper Norway’s rhythm without surrendering initiative themselves, balancing pressing intensity with strategic patience to prevent Haaland from exploiting space. The tactical decision for Tuchel will hinge on whether a tighter, more proactive approach or a slightly more cautious, space-aware plan best curbs Norway’s flexibility and reduces their scoring opportunities as they push toward the final stages.