England vs Norway is each side’s greatest opponent yet at the 2026 World Cup, with a spot in the semi-finals up for grabs.
The Three Lions overcame a torturous situation versus Mexico at the Azteca on Monday, while Norway prevailed against five-time World Champions Brazil in their Round of 16 clash.
It is a hot afternoon for either side, with the struggles shared as both nations come from chillier climates, and the game has been mostly even in its play.
Gary Neville slams Jordan Pickford, as England enter the break tied at 1-1 against Norway in the 2026 World Cup
The match was not a blockbuster event to begin with, as either side looked to find their rhythm in 44C real-feel heat in Miami.
Norway almost slipped Erling Haaland in on goal after seven minutes, and Harry Kane blazed a free-kick attempt high from the edge of the box shortly before the 30th.
A scare from the England back-line almost saw Haaland pounce on a loose ball in the six-yard box, but Jordan Pickford collected with relative ease.
Shortly after, Norway’s danger man headed an effort straight at the Three Lions shot-stopper, before his side opened the scoring in ludicrous fashion.
Andreas Schjelderup launched an astonishing effort that rattled in off the post, despite seemingly being a back-post cross attempt to Haaland.
Norway should have gone up 2-0 before the break, if not for a series of poor decisions from Alexander Sorloth during a two-on-one.
Jude Bellingham was the hero for England in the 46th, with a glorious finish past the Norwegian goalkeeper to level affairs heading into half-time, but Kane almost sent the Three Lions up with an intelligent chip finish that was chalked off for offside.
Gary Neville slammed England shot-stopper Pickford for his role in letting Norway break the deadlock, saying: “That can’t go in the net from there.”
“Jordan Pickford is not going to want to see that again. It is a cross, but he has to save it.”
Ian Wright, co-pundit for the clash, added: “You have to put your hand on that. You can’t take your hand away. If a ball is coming in your vicinity and you have the opportunity to touch it… you have to.”
Roy Keane stated that Pickford should be “disappointed”, as the Three Lions goalkeeper plays in a momentous World Cup game individually – now the most-capped England player of all time at the tournament.
England will look to pull ahead in the second half, having narrowly avoided a 2-0 deficit before Bellingham’s goal.