England found themselves in a familiar position as they battled against Norway in Miami. Big Dan Burn took charge in defense, clearing headers with authority, while Reece James and the impressive Djed Spence patrolled the flanks. Elliot Anderson held the midfield on his own, creating problems for Norway, particularly as their towering striker had already exited the match, leaving England’s back five to fend off the remaining threats.
It would be a stretch to label this outing a tactical triumph for Thomas Tuchel. The German coach made a questionable decision at halftime, allowing Martin Ødegaard to take control after Declan Rice’s departure due to illness. The second half became a struggle as Tuchel scrambled to rectify his error, first bringing on James for Anthony Gordon, which robbed England of a key counterattacking option. Only when Morgan Rogers joined the midfield did England regain some semblance of stability.
Norway, despite their exit, can hold their heads high. However, they must be baffled at missing the chance to reach a World Cup semi-final for the first time. At one point in the second half, it seemed England might need David Beckham to don his suit and dash onto the field to save the day. The midfield required a shake-up. Could Kobbie Mainoo step up? However, it felt more likely that Tuchel would send Ellie Goulding onto the pitch to tackle Ødegaard and his teammates. Mainoo remains a largely overlooked figure on the squad, and as the pressure from Norway intensified, it increasingly seemed that England might falter, succumbing to the emotional toll of elimination at the hands of Jude Bellingham.
Amidst Bellingham’s brilliance and a crucial error from Ørjan Håskjold Nyland leading to the winning goal, England’s criticized defense proved pivotal during the latter stages of the match. This was not a day for Erling Haaland to shine. Although the Norway striker posed a constant threat, he only managed two headers on Jordan Pickford’s goal. He will surely remember the moment when Alexander Sørloth failed to assist him in extending Norway’s lead, leaving England in a precarious position.
John Stones deserves recognition for effectively closing down angles as Sørloth hesitated, ultimately failing to capitalize on the opportunity. His intelligent defending, alongside Marc Guéhi, played a crucial role in managing Haaland’s threat. While the danger was never completely eliminated, it was certainly contained. Haaland’s involvement was limited to just 21 touches and a pass completion rate of 38% before he was substituted for Jørgen Strand Larsen after the initial extra-time period, although these statistics don’t fully encapsulate the intense battle he faced against Guéhi and Stones.
Familiar with both England center-backs from their time at Manchester City, Haaland faced them without club allegiances. There were several intense collisions with Guéhi, who rose to the challenge admirably. He stood firm against Haaland multiple times, did not allow himself to be dribbled past, and made crucial interventions when Norway threatened.
Compounding their challenges, Pickford’s performance was shaky, with him arguably at fault for Schjelderup’s goal. Defensive issues have plagued England throughout the tournament. Tuchel has had to make adjustments due to injuries, leading to speculation about his confidence in Stones, who entered the tournament lacking match fitness and had not impressed during England’s previous victory over Croatia in Dallas.
This match marked Stones’s first start since then. No longer a Manchester City player and with only nine league appearances last season, he stood tall for England. He exhibited remarkable anticipation, achieving six headed clearances—crucial given Norway’s threat from set pieces—and recorded eight defensive efforts. A rare mistake, where he was dispossessed in a dangerous area, went unpunished.
England, as a whole, were far from flawless. Norway hit the crossbar and had a goal ruled out in the second half. With Anderson left vulnerable in midfield following Rice’s exit, the defense bore a heavy burden. Nico O’Reilly, tested at left-back, made a vital tackle against Norway substitute Oscar Bobb. Ezri Konsa proved reliable at right-back before fatigue set in. James, initially brought on to bolster the midfield, became a force when he shifted back after Konsa’s departure. Antonio Nusa, who showed promise after coming on, struggled to make an impact against the Chelsea captain.
England demonstrated resilience in this match. The fans cheered for Stones when he made a crucial block in extra time. The Miracle of Djed Spence will be a topic of conversation in Miami for years to come. Spence, who replaced O’Reilly, was outstanding. He should have been awarded a penalty after being fouled by Bobb and had a moment where he pushed Harry Kane aside before nearly scoring from the edge of the box.
During extra time, Spence dominated the left flank. Norway had a brief chance when Eberechi Eze deflected a shot from Bobb over the bar. Haaland, despite his struggles, remains a compelling figure—deeply invested in Norway’s success, devoid of ego, and lethal against Brazil. However, England became the first team to prevent Haaland from finding the back of the net, a significant achievement. Tuchel will not overlook the team’s shortcomings as they prepare for Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta, but he can at least take comfort in knowing his defenders can perform under pressure.
- World Cup 2026
- Norway
- England
- World Cup
- John Stones
- Jordan Pickford
- Thomas Tuchel
- analysis
