Norway and England just gave us a World Cup quarterfinal that somehow feels both predictable and completely wild at the same time. The two best strikers on the planet, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, spent the first half doing exactly nothing on the scoresheet. But that doesn’t mean the game lacked drama.
Because it was Andreas Schjelderup, of all people, who opened the scoring. The 22-year-old Benfica winger, who wasn’t even supposed to start this game, got the ball on the left wing and just let it fly. What looked like a cross ended up in the top corner, past a stranded Jordan Pickford. The goal was pure chaos. And Haaland loved it.
He sprinted over to Schjelderup and wrapped him up in a hug, grinning like a kid who just got a new bike. The moment went viral on X for good reason. These two clearly share something real.
England Answers Back
But England didn’t fold. Anthony Gordon made a nice move on the wing and found Jude Bellingham at the edge of the box. Bellingham, playing for Real Madrid and looking like he’s been doing this for a decade, took a touch past a defender and slotted the ball home. Tie game at the half.
Thomas Tuchel made some moves at halftime, swapping out Noni Madueke and Declan Rice for Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka. Rice was reportedly dealing with some fitness concerns before the game, but Tuchel didn’t want to take any chances. The adjustments seemed to work, at least for a while.
Still, neither Haaland nor Kane have found much room to operate. Kane keeps getting swallowed up by Norway’s defense. Haaland had a header saved late in the first half but has mostly been feeding on scraps.
Norway’s Game Plan Is Working
Norway is basically running the same script they used against Brazil. Sit deep, let England have the ball, and strike fast on the counter. It’s not pretty, but it’s effective. They’ve looked dangerous in spurts, even if they haven’t been able to put together sustained pressure.
The second half is shaping up to be a chess match. Both teams have shown they can score. Both teams have shown they can be shut down. This one feels like it could go either way, and honestly, that’s exactly what you want from a World Cup quarterfinal.
One thing is for sure though. Schjelderup just announced himself to the world. And Haaland couldn’t be happier to share the moment.
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