+ Norway–England, Saturday at 11:00 PM
Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida.
TV4/P4 Radio Sport.
+ “We will also thank England”
Norway has managed to make something special out of its first men's World Cup in 28 years. When it started in 1998, its western neighbours took the opportunity to beat Brazil themselves to advance to the round of 16. Now they have gone a step further.
“If you see the scenes back home in Norway... it's not normal for Norway to be here,” said superstar Erling Braut Haaland after the round of 16 victory against Brazil.
Now England awaits, a country that Norwegians have always looked up to in football.
It will be the biggest match in our history. There will be so many emotions, it is actually difficult to imagine in advance how it will be. If we win there will be jubilation, but we will also thank England for everything they have meant to us, says NRK columnist Jan Petter Saltvedt.
+ Concerns for Thomas Tuchel
England manager Thomas Tuchel has not had a carefree time since the victory over Mexico. Midfielder Jordan Henderson broke a bone in his arm while helping secure victory in the round of 16. In addition, star player Declan Rice is said to be suffering from a stomach ailment and is at risk of missing the match, while defender Marc Guéhi is reported to have a thigh injury. Add to that the fact that defender Jarell Quansah is suspended and will miss the quarter-finals and a possible semi-final.
Pleasingly for Tuchel, full-back Reece James is expected to be available against Norway after missing two straight matches.
+ Argentina–Switzerland, Sunday at 3:00 AM
Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri.
SVT/P4 Radio Sport
+ The breakthrough talent still uncertain
World Cup star Johan Manzambi was a great source of joy for Switzerland with his three goals and two assists in the national team's first four matches. However, the winger missed the fifth – the round of 16 against Colombia – due to a knee injury.
The Bundesliga player trained individually during Thursday's session and the quarter-final against Argentina is a race against the clock, reports the newspaper Blick.
+ Messi's historic penalty saver
There's a lot to be said about Argentina's national icon Lionel Messi, but the 39-year-old has not shown nerves of steel from the penalty spot during the World Cup. In two attempts at the tournament, Messi has missed both.
“I was pissed. I hit the ball very badly,” Messi said after the latest penalty miss.
In fact, in the 96-year history of the World Cup, no one has missed more penalties during regular time and extra time than Messi's four in total during his career, according to the Wall Street Journal.
