As Norway’s players were “coughing and rasping” in their Kansas City hotel, their doctor issued an update on a sickness bug that has hit the squad just hours before the biggest match in the nation’s history. Norwegian pundits have described the World Cup quarter-final against England as “the biggest event ever in Norway”, with the Three Lions awaiting them in Miami.
But the build-up has been overshadowed by a security scare at England’s training base. Reports say a man entered the building with a wrench before quickly running off after hearing police sirens. The incident came as England boss Thomas Tuchel was left “furious” after FIFA confirmed Jarell Quansah will be unavailable for the quarter-final and a potential semi-final. The defender’s World Cup is effectively over unless England beat Norway, with a two-game ban imposed after the FA considered an appeal.
“Norway hit by sickness bug; England face security scare and Quansah ban before quarter-final”
Tuchel’s anger also stems from Folarin Balogun’s red card being suspended for 12 months. Though the USMNT were knocked out by Belgium, that saga has rolled on with 27 nations demanding an investigation into the controversial decision.
Elsewhere, the quarter-finals kicked off with France taking on Morocco. Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty in the first half but atoned with a stunning strike, before Ousmane Dembele doubled their lead to put France on the cusp of the semi-finals. The focus now turns to England and Norway, a clash that has captured the imagination of an entire nation desperate to see their side pull off a famous upset.
