![\"The](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132322887,imgsize-1069497,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/england-handed-secret-formula-to-stop-erling-haaland-ahead-of-norway-world-cup-showdown.jpg\" "\\"England")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nEngland’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 matches and sitting just one goal behind Golden Boot leaders Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbapp\u00e9. However, former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes England\u2019s biggest task may not be stopping Haaland himself, but shutting down the source that has made him so deadly.Norway arrive at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on the back of a historic campaign, reaching their first World Cup quarter-final since 1998 with Haaland leading the charge. Yet Friedel argues that England’s tactical priority should lie elsewhere too, with Arsenal captain Martin \u00d8degaard identified as the player capable of dictating everything Norway do in possession.<\/p>\n Haaland’s numbers have been extraordinary throughout the tournament. He scored twice against Iraq in Norway’s opening group-stage match, followed that with another brace against Senegal, added one against Ivory Coast and struck twice again in the memorable 2-1 Round of 16 victory over Brazil.Despite that remarkable scoring record, Friedel believes Norway’s centre-forward cannot be neutralised simply by assigning extra defenders to him.“You can’t just stop Erling Haaland \u2013 he doesn’t actually get that many touches in a game \u2013 it’s about limiting the service to him,” Friedel told SPORTbible.<\/a>“If you allow their wingers and full-backs to get into crossing positions, even the best defenders in the world will have a hard time stopping Haaland jumping and getting to the ball in front of his marker.” <\/p>\n Norway’s Erling Haaland (9) shoots and scores their second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo\/Pamela Smith)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Instead, the former Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Tottenham goalkeeper believes England’s midfield must prevent the ball from reaching dangerous areas altogether.“You need to stop the ball arriving to Haaland. Even then, Haaland can create a chance from nothing, he’s so good at that.”<\/p>\n For Friedel, the player England should be most concerned about is Martin \u00d8degaard.Although the Arsenal captain is yet to score at the 2026 World Cup, his influence has been immense. Operating primarily as an attacking midfielder and deep-lying playmaker, \u00d8degaard has registered three assists across Norway’s four matches while controlling the tempo of almost every attack. <\/p>\n Norway’s Martin Oedegaard (10) reacts after he battled for the ball with Brazil’s Neymar (10) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Against Brazil in the Round of 16, he completed all but one of his 53 first-half passes, underlining his ability to dictate possession and progress Norway through midfield.“Martin \u00d8degaard is the player in the Norway team that gets the most touches, so you have to limit \u00d8degaard’s involvement,” Friedel explained.“But they are not one dimensional \u2013 they have Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb\u2026 a lot of threats.”The Haaland-\u00d8degaard partnership has become the defining feature of Norway’s resurgence. Fierce Premier League rivals with Manchester City and Arsenal, the pair transform into one of international football’s most effective attacking combinations when representing their country.While Haaland provides the finishing power, \u00d8degaard supplies the vision, ball progression and creativity that allow Norway to consistently create high-quality chances.Norway head coach St\u00e5le Solbakken recently described his captain as indispensable.“In our team, he is invaluable,” Solbakken said.“He’s never been a number 10 with Norway. He’s always been a two-way player, being influential in all phases.”“He’s always working the hardest, covering ground and sprints. He’s the trigger. And he decides if we’re playing 4-1-4-1 in defence, or if we’re playing 4-4-2.”<\/p>\n While Norway’s hopes rest heavily on the Haaland-\u00d8degaard connection, England will once again look to Jude Bellingham to control proceedings.Friedel believes the Real Madrid midfielder has already developed into one of world football’s elite players, comparing different aspects of his game to some of the greatest midfielders of the modern era. <\/p>\n England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates with 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)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Jude Bellingham is right up there among the best I’ve seen. In his movements, he reminds me of Zinedine Zidane. Bellingham is also very good technically in tight areas.”“Jude has that capability of playing the No. 8 and the No. 10, he tracks back, can make a tackle, is good in the air in both boxes and can make decisive defensive clearances if needed too.”“He covers so much of the pitch \u2013 in that way I can compare him to Steve Gerrard.”“Let’s see how Bellingham’s career develops, but he’s on a trajectory to lift 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 \u00d8degaard the time and space to orchestrate Norway’s attacks, they may have already found the most effective formula for reaching the World Cup semi-finals.<\/div>\nFriedel explains why England must focus on \u00d8degaard<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Brazil](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-132322899\/brazil-norway-wcup-soccer.jpg\" "\\"Norway's")
<\/p>\n\u00d8degaard remains Norway’s creative heartbeat
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n![\"APTOPIX](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-132322907\/aptopix-brazil-norway-wcup-soccer.jpg\" "\\"Norway's")
<\/p>\nEngland also possess their own midfield talisman<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
![\"England](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-132322913\/england-hands-mexico-its-first-world-cup-loss-at-estadio-azteca-winning-3-2-to-reach-quarterfinals.jpg\" "\\"England's")
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