England’s World Cup quarter-final opponents Norway have been hit with a sickness bug, one of their stars has confirmed.
Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland has verified reports of an illness in the camp and claimed that the team doctor is ‘very busy’.
The Three Lions face Norway on Saturday at 10pm UK time in Miami, Florida, with the chance to book a tie against Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.
Two Norway players have already missed matches through illness, while their manager has coughed violently at a press conference, and it does not appear that a night of partying after their 2-1 win over Brazil has helped their cause.
‘I can confirm that it’s true. We’ve had our issues,’ Nyland told James Corden’s Fox show.
‘We’re doing the best that we can and the team doctor is very busy at the moment.
Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland has confirmed that a sickness bug is going round the squad ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash against England
Norway booked their place in the quarter-finals on Sunday by beating Brazil 2-1 and celebrated wildly in the dressing room afterwards
‘I don’t have any clue. We have had some time off so maybe someone contracted anything during the time off. Hopefully everything goes well and we face England with a fully rested squad on Saturday.’
Since landing in North America last month, the Scandinavians have travelled thousands of miles.
Having begun their campaign in Boston, they flew to New Jersey, before heading back to Boston and then down to Dallas. Their Round of 16 match against Brazil was meanwhile played back in New Jersey.
And, according to Norwegian outlet Dagbladet, all of that jet-setting has taken its toll on the squad.
Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen missed the opening game of the tournament through illness, while Marcus Holmgren Pedersen was absent from the clash against Brazil with a bug.
Manager Solbakken was also spotted coughing violently at a press conference after Norway’s 4-1 defeat to France.
‘We’ve really only had Jorgen who has had a fever,’ the manager said. ‘But then there’s been a bit of coughing and rasping evenly, scattered throughout.
‘But there’s air conditioning, flights, changing rooms and all that. We’re over 50 people so it would be strange if one or the other didn’t come.’
Erling Haaland appeared ecstatic in the changing room after the squad were told they could head out for the night
Prior to this tournament the Norwegians had never made it past the group stages of a major tournament and will play a side ranked some 15 places above them for a place in the semi-finals.
Solbakken said: ‘We have to study England but obviously we have seen them in their previous games in the tournament and they will be a very strong opponent but hopefully it will be a very even and tight game.’
The Three Lions head into the match on the back of a historic 3-2 victory at the Azteca Stadium on Monday.
Following an hour-long delay, the game eventually got underway at 2am and it took England 36 minutes to break the deadlock.
Jude Bellingham put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead, before he netted a second just 98 seconds later. The first goal saw the Real Madrid man nod home a Bukayo Saka cross, while for the second he bundled another ball from the right into the back of the net.
But, from there, the Mexicans hit back. When Julian Quinones lashed home on the brink of half-time it appeared as though England may squander their lead.
However, after Jarell Quansah was sent off for a reckless challenge, Harry Kane later stepped up from the penalty spot to put Tuchel’s men 3-1 up. Raul Jimenez hit back with a penalty of his own, but England ultimately held on for a historic victory.
Tuchel said after the game: ‘A heroic performance and a heroic result. I’m so happy with the players, and also for me, to live this experience in the last two days. Such a special memory, and against all the adversity it makes it very special for us.
Norway have never played in a World Cup quarter-final but have plenty of hope with Erling Haaland up front
‘If a team has heart and belief then it’s this team. They did it on pure will. No words. Iconic match, iconic stadium, we overcame so much adversity today.’
The Three Lions will be without Quansah for the Norway game following his red card against Mexico, and Jordan Henderson will also miss out.
The Brentford midfielder suffered a freak injury when he took a tumble over an advertising hoarding and appeared to land on his arm. Henderson is thought to have broken his wrist, and stayed in Mexico City yesterday as the rest of the squad flew back to their base in Kansas City.
Whether Reece James will recover from his knock in time for the 10pm kick-off remains to be seen.
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