England will have to do what only France have managed since October 2024 if they are to seal a spot in the World Cup semi-final... beat Norway in a competitive fixture.
Whilst our nation is still celebrating the Three Lions' herculean triumph over Mexico at their iconic Azteca home in the early hours of Monday, Norway extended their outstanding run of form with an equally as impressive victory against Brazil a couple of hours earlier.
Erling Haaland's brace secured the European nation a famous victory over the South American footballing powerhouse in New Jersey, meaning it will be the Vikings that Thomas Tuchel's troops will face next in Miami, as opposed to the five-time World Cup winners.
The upcoming showdown, in Florida this weekend, will represent the 13th time the two nations will have squared-off, although it will be the first time they have met in a major international tournament.
England's record of seven wins, three draws and just two defeats helps solidify their status as favourites to advance to the last four, but Tuchel will be wary of the threat that Norway, spearheaded by Manchester City linchpin Haaland, possess.
When did Norway last lose a match?
Prior to this summer's World Cup you had to go back to October 2024 for the last time that Norway were beaten in a meaningful fixture.
Since suffering a chastening 5-1 defeat against Austria in the UEFA Nations League, Ståle Solbakken's side embarked upon a 12-match unbeaten run in competetive matches.
Of course, that run was brought to a halt by France in their final group stage fixture last month, although the Danish boss did opt to field his second string and rest his big name stars such as Haaland and Martin Odegaard ahead of the more important round of 32 clash with Ivory Coast.
Victory over the African giants and their subsequent triumph against Brazil means they have won 14 of their last 15 competitive fixtures; an ominous sign for any England supporter expecting a comfortable night's work in Miami on Saturday.
Norway's recent run of form
- WON - Brazil 1-2 Norway (World Cup - R16)
- WON - Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway (World Cup - R32)
- LOST - Norway 1-4 France (World Cup - Group I)
- WON - Norway 3-2 Senegal (World Cup - Group I)
- WON - Iraq 1-4 Norway (World Cup - Group I)
- WON - Italy 1-4 Norway (World Cup Qualifier)
- WON - Norway 4-1 Estonia (World Cup Qualifier)
- WON - Norway 5-0 Israel (World Cup Qualifier)
- WON - Norway 11-1 Moldova (World Cup Qualifier)
- WON - Estonia 0-1 Norway (World Cup Qualifier)
- WON - Norway 3-0 Italy (World Cup Qualifier)
- WON - Israel 2-4 Norway (World Cup Qualifier)
- WON - Moldova 0-5 Norway (World Cup Qualifier)
- WON - Norway 5-0 Kazakhstan (Nations League - Group Stage)
- WON - Slovenia 1-4 Norway (Nations League - Group Stage)
Competitive fixtures only since October 2024.
