Norway-England preview: The players to watch
Will Norway dominate possession? Which team’s goal scorers will rise up? Northeastern’s NetSI Sport research group takes a closer look.
Norway controlled the ball for over 60% of its match with Brazil in the Round of 16, according to FIFA, en route to a 2-1 victory. Can that dominance in possession continue against England, when the squads meet in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday?
The answer may hinge on Norway’s captain, Martin Ødegaard, the team’s offensive engine. As the center midfielder, Ødegaard orchestrates the attack, dropping deep to receive the ball, cycling it around or up the flanks, or threading long passes to striker Erling Haaland, a devastating goal scorer.
Ødegaard runs more than any player in the tournament, ranking in the 99th or 100th percentile in high-speed runs, sprints, total distance, and high-speed distance. That high work rate tracks with his heavy involvement in the attack, as shown in the graphic below, which maps the broad range of spots where he received passes against Brazil.
If England elects to pressure Ødegaard, it will have to chase him around the field, which will open up space for Ødegaard’s teammates.
Another key factor in the match will be how England’s depleted defense on the right side handles Norway’s left winger Antonio Nusa, a skillful dribbler and accurate passer. England has been without right-back Reese James since its second match due to injury, forcing left-back Djed Spence and center-back Jarell Quansah into action on the right side. As of Friday morning, Spence’s fitness remains in question and Quansah is out on a red card.
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Both squads feature prolific goal scorers: Norway’s Haaland (7) and England’s Harry Kane (6). Kane drops deep to help England build its attacks, while Haaland stays high, looking to corral long passes and get into the box, where his size and speed let him outmuscle defenders for high-quality chances. The graphic below offers a closer look at their attack output.
One other player to watch: Jude Bellingham, England’s versatile midfielder. Bellingham has covered six different positions throughout the tournament, tallying four goals and an assist.
While England has tried to slowly build up its offense in the tournament, many of its goals have actually come from more direct play. The graphic below shows the progression leading up to Bellingham’s diving header for a goal in England’s match with Mexico.
Data analysis provided by Brennan Klein, director for Northeastern University’s NetSI Sport research group.
