England and Norway were preparing to lock horns in a blockbuster World Cup quarter-final battle of elite strikers in Miami on Saturday set to be played in ferocious heat and humidity.
The two European rivals face off at the Hard Rock Stadium in a match that kicks off at 5:00 pm local time (2200 GMT), with the winner facing a semi-final against Argentina or Switzerland.
While the build-up has focused on the duel between in-form England striker Harry Kane and his Norway counterpart Erling Haaland, both teams share an additional opponent in Mother Nature.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory noting that the heat index — a combined measure of air temperature and relative humidity often called the “feels like” temperature — is set to reach a punishing 108 Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius) at kick-off.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken said his team had factored in the conditions during practice for Saturday’s collision in Miami.
“We have trained very lightly. We haven’t done much hard work,” Solbakken said Friday. “It’s all about being fresh tomorrow.”
On the field, all eyes will be on the expected duel between Kane, who has scored six goals during England’s journey to the last eight, and Haaland, who has found the net seven times.
Kane described 25-year-old Haaland as “a beast” but insisted he and the Manchester City striker had contrasting styles.
“I see myself as a different player, although I score the same goals,” the England captain, 32, said on Friday. I respect him a lot as a player and as a professional.”
England coach Thomas Tuchel will look to Haaland’s Manchester City teammates John Stones and Marc Guehi to contain the threat posed by the towering Norwegian striker. Both Guehi and Stones were named in a tweaked back four.
Noni Madueke was also drafted in on the right flank in place of his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka.
Coach Thomas Tuchel said: “We took a big step in our last match, but it was only a step.
“The next step is to win a quarter-final. The important thing is to look up at what is ahead of us.”
– ‘Keep dreaming’ –
Late Saturday, Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City as they aim to edge closer to completing their dream of back-to-back World Cups.
The South Americans cruised through the group stage but since entering the knockout rounds, frailties have crept in as they were pushed to breaking point by first World Cup debutants Cape Verde and then Egypt.
Lionel Messi, who turned 39 during the group phase, has again been the talisman for the South Americans, his genius repeatedly getting his team out of tight spots.
But there is just a suggestion the Swiss, a well-organised unit marshalled by midfield general Granit Xhaka, could exploit any weariness and cause them problems at Arrowhead Stadium.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he is proud of the character his team has shown.
“I would like this national team to be remembered as a team that never gave up,” he said.
The 48-year-old has been especially marked by the support for the team expressed by a young fan.
“We do not play football just for a win,” he said.
“And then when you see those things that come out of our heart, this is just outstanding.”
Messi will be bidding to add to the 21 goals — a new record — he has scored across the six World Cups in which he has played.
Xhaka, 33, for his part said his message to the Swiss supporters was simple.
“Regarding the fans, keep dreaming. I am a person who always dreams, and dreams can come true,” he said.
“Sometimes you need to do something new. You really need to push your limits if you want to beat Argentina. And I’m convinced my team is ready.”
