The secret to stopping Erling Haaland? England handed golden blueprint ahead of Norway World Cup quarter-final showdown | Football News
England’s biggest threat ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Norway is undoubtedly Erling Haaland himself. The Manchester City striker has emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest threats, scoring seven goals in four games and sitting just one goal behind Golden Boot leaders Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. However, former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes that England’s biggest task may not be to stop Haaland himself, but to close the source that makes him so deadly.Norway arrive at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on the back of a historic campaign, reaching their first World Cup quarter-final since 1998 with Haaland leading the charge. However Friedel argued that England’s tactical priority should also be elsewhere, with Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard identified as the player capable of dictating all possession in Norway.
Friedel explains why England should focus on Ødegaard
Haaland’s numbers were outstanding throughout the tournament. He scored twice against Iraq in Norway’s opening group stage match, followed that up with another brace against Senegal, added one against Ivory Coast and scored twice again in a memorable 2-1 Round of 16 win over Brazil.Despite the impressive scoring record, Friedel believes the Norwegian centre-forward cannot be neutralized simply by giving him more defenders.“You can’t stop Erling Haaland – he never gets many touches in a game – it’s about limiting the service to him,” Friedel told SPORTbible.“If you allow their wings and full-backs to get into crossing positions, even the best defenders in the world will struggle to stop Haaland jumping and getting the ball in front of his marker.”
Erling Haaland (9) of Norway shoots and scores their second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, NJ, near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
However, the former Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Tottenham goalkeeper believes that England’s midfield should prevent the ball from reaching dangerous areas.“You have to stop the ball coming to Haaland. However, Haaland can create chances from nothing, he is very good at that.”
Ødegaard remains the creative heartbeat of Norway
For Friedel, the England player who should be most concerned is Martin Ødegaard.Although the Arsenal captain has yet to score at the 2026 World Cup, his influence has been huge. Primarily operating as an attacking midfielder and deep-lying playmaker, Ødegaard registered three assists in four games for Norway while controlling the tempo of almost every attack.
Norway’s Martin Oedegaard (10) reacts after he fights for the ball with Brazil’s Neymar (10) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, NJ, near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Against Brazil in the Round of 16, he completed all but one of his 53 first-half passes, highlighting his ability to dictate possession and advance Norway through midfield.“Martin Ødegaard is the player in the Norwegian team who gets the most touches, so you have to limit Ødegaard’s involvement,” explained Friedel.“But they are not one-dimensional – they have Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb … many threats.”The Haaland-Ødegaard partnership has become a defining part of Norway’s revival. Fierce Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, the pair have become one of the most effective attacking combinations in international football when representing their country.While Haaland provides the finishing power, Ødegaard provides the vision, ball development and creativity that allows Norway to consistently create high-quality chances.Norway’s head coach Ståle Solbakken recently described his captain as indispensable.“To our team, he is very valuable,” Solbakken said.“He has never been a number 10 in Norway. He has always been a two-way player, influential in all phases.”“He always works the hardest, covers ground and sprints. He is the reason. And he decides if we play 4-1-4-1 in defense, or if we play 4-4-2.”
England also have their own talisman in midfield
While Norway’s hopes rest heavily on the Haaland-Ødegaard connection, England will once again look to Jude Bellingham to control proceedings.Friedel believes the Real Madrid midfielder has become one of the world’s elite footballers, comparing various aspects of his game to some of the greatest midfielders of the modern era.
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
“Jude Bellingham is up there among the best I’ve ever seen. With his moves, he reminds me of Zinedine Zidane.“Jude has the ability to play at No. 8 and at No. 10, he tracks back, can make a tackle, is good in the air in both boxes and can make decisive defensive clearances when needed too.”“He covers most of the pitch – in that way I can compare him to Steve Gerrard.”“We will see how Bellingham’s career develops, but he is on a trajectory to win as many trophies as the likes of Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes or Gerrard.”As England prepare for one of their toughest tests of the tournament, Friedel’s message is straightforward. Haaland’s goals may dominate the headlines, but if Thomas Tuchel’s side can deny Ødegaard the time and space to orchestrate Norway’s attacks, they may have found the most effective formula to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
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