Solbakken Dismisses Erling Haaland Vs Harry Kane Duel And Urges Fearless Norway To Embrace History Against England

Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken believes his side have finally shed the nerves that accompanied their return to the World Cup and now carry a genuine belief they can upset England in Saturday's quarter-final, provided they remain true to their identity.

Fresh from one of the greatest victories in Norwegian football history after eliminating five-time world champions Brazil, Solbakken said confidence inside the camp had reached a new level ahead of what is another landmark occasion for a nation appearing in its first World Cup quarter-final.

"The players deep down feel that they can beat England," Solbakken said during his pre-match press conference. "But obviously, we have to be at our very, very best. If we are not, England will go through."

Despite the magnitude of the occasion, the Norway coach has urged his players to focus on the football rather than the occasion surrounding it.

"The most important thing for me is that we are ourselves with the ball, dare to play the game and not the whole environment, and concentrate on the pitch," he said. "I would like to see a Norway team that plays to their strengths and that we are ourselves."

Solbakken admitted Norway's World Cup campaign began with uncertainty, recalling how the players struggled to settle during their opening match against Iraq after returning to football's biggest stage following a lengthy absence.

"You saw a very nervous team in the first 20 minutes against Iraq where we didn't manage to put two passes together," he explained. "That had something to do with the occasion because it had been 26 years since Norway's last major tournament and no one had played in a World Cup before."

Those nerves, however, have gradually disappeared.

The stunning last-16 victory over Brazil, inspired by Erling Haaland's decisive brace, has convinced the squad they belong among the tournament's elite.

Still, Solbakken knows the challenge England present is different altogether.

"They have great players on the wings. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane can score from many positions," he said. "They have a great duo in the middle of the park. We need to compete there and we need to defend properly."

Much of the build-up has centred on the meeting between two of Europe's most prolific strikers, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

Solbakken dismissed suggestions it would become a personal duel, although he acknowledged both forwards remain their countries' defining figures.

"I think it's Norway versus England," he said. "But I don't think it's a secret that Kane is match winner number one for England, and Haaland is match winner number one for us."

Asked about Haaland's relentless appetite for goals, Solbakken offered a light-hearted response.

"To be honest, the hunger isn't as big in training," he joked before smiling. "In the training sessions he's in, he's hungry. But he hasn't been that hungry in a couple of training sessions. That's how Erling should be."

With temperatures expected to climb well above 40 degrees Celsius in Miami, Solbakken confirmed Norway have deliberately reduced the intensity of training in an effort to keep players fresh.

"We have trained very lightly. We haven't done much hard work," he revealed. "We have obviously had tactical sessions, but in a lower tempo and we've not trained for long periods. So it's all about being fresh tomorrow."

The weather, he added, will affect both teams equally.

"Yes, it affects the pressing game for everyone. It's hot and humid. But Norway and England are two countries that should have the same good or bad conditions. It's the same for both teams."

He also praised goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, stressing that elite goalkeeping has become increasingly decisive in modern tournaments.

"Obviously, all the teams need a good goalie. We have had that in this tournament."

There was encouraging news on the fitness front, with Solbakken confirming every player is available.

"Everyone is healthy and fit. Everyone trains well. No one has a headache."

The Norway boss also defended Alexander Sørloth's contribution despite questions over his goalscoring record.

"Sørloth has done an impressive job for the team," Solbakken said. "He relieves Erling when we have to go long from our goal-kicks so Haaland doesn't have to go into so many duels.

"He has had some games where he has been a bit uneven with the ball, but his physical presence for the team has been excellent. He has been able to grind the opponents so that others can come in when there is more space.

"He has probably thought, 'I will score a goal too.' It's not too late."

Reflecting on Norway's remarkable rise, Solbakken insisted the success is no accident but the product of years of planning, even after disappointment at the European Championship.

"We have always agreed on which way we should go," he said. "Football is very complex now. You have to be able to play many different phases, both defensively and offensively. I think we have come a long way."

He also rejected suggestions that reaching the quarter-finals should ever have been considered Norway's minimum target.

"If you haven't been in a World Cup in 28 years, it would be very strange to say the minimum should be a quarter-final," he said. "We've always played game by game."

Now, with England standing between Norway and an unprecedented World Cup semi-final, Solbakken believes his squad have found the ideal emotional balance.

"I think the players are in a relaxed but competitive mood," he said. "They're looking forward to the game, but they should also feel a little bit of pressure because I don't think you can be at your very best if you don't."

As for the secret to eliminating another heavyweight after Brazil, Solbakken smiled before offering one final reply.

"I will answer that," he said, "if we beat them."