England will look to keep their dream of ending a 60-year wait for major international silverware alive when they take on Norway in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Standing in their way is a Norway side enjoying the greatest World Cup campaign in the nation’s history after reaching the last eight for the first time.

Norway stunned five-time world champions Brazil in the round of 16 to book their place in a major tournament quarter-final for the first time. Managed by Ståle Solbakken, the Scandinavians have already exceeded expectations and will now be aiming to claim another famous scalp against one of Europe’s traditional heavyweights.

Their victory over Brazil marked Norway’s first-ever World Cup triumph against a nation ranked inside FIFA’s top five, although history is against them. Norway have failed to win any of their previous six World Cup meetings with fellow UEFA nations, drawing twice and losing four times, including a heavy 4-1 defeat to France earlier in this tournament. Nevertheless, an impressive run of 16 victories from their last 21 internationals, alongside just two defeats during that period, will ensure confidence remains high.

England, meanwhile, were forced to dig deep in a dramatic last-16 encounter against co-hosts Mexico. Despite playing with ten men for a significant period, Thomas Tuchel’s side battled through difficult conditions at the Estadio Azteca to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory and book a fifth consecutive major tournament quarter-final appearance.

The Three Lions remain determined to end six decades of hurt, although recent World Cup history offers a note of caution. England have lost five of their last six World Cup knockout matches against European opposition, with their most recent defeat coming against France at this stage in the previous tournament. However, six wins and a draw from their last seven internationals suggest they are finding form at exactly the right time.

England also boast the superior record in this fixture. They are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings with Norway, winning seven and drawing three while keeping clean sheets in each of the last four encounters. The sides have not met since 2014.

Goals could once again be on the cards. Both teams have scored in 11 of Norway’s last 12 matches, while each of their previous six competitive fixtures has featured a goal after the 85th minute. England have also shown a habit of finishing strongly, scoring after the hour mark in five of their last six internationals, with four of their five World Cup matches producing exactly two second-half goals.

Much of Norway’s hopes will rest on the shoulders of Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker has now scored in each of his last 14 competitive internationals, netting an astonishing 27 goals during that run. He is also chasing history, aiming to become the first European player since Germany legend Gerd Müller in 1970 to score in each of his first five World Cup appearances.

England’s main threat will once again come from Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder struck twice against Mexico to become the first England midfielder ever to score four or more goals at a single World Cup, with all four of his tournament goals arriving between the 30th and 65th minute.

Norway could be without defender David Møller Wolfe after he was forced off during the victory over Brazil. England are definitely without Jarell Quansah following his red card in the previous round, while experienced midfielder Jordan Henderson is also a doubt after suffering a wrist injury during the celebrations after the Mexico win.

With two attack-minded sides packed with quality in the final third, this promises to be one of the standout quarter-finals. England may enter as favourites, but Norway have already proved they are capable of upsetting football’s elite, setting the stage for what could be another memorable World Cup encounter.