England and Norway brace for Miami heat in World Cup quarter-final as Argentina meet Switzerland

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — England and Norway head into a high-stakes World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Saturday, a European showdown built around two prolific forwards and complicated by extreme weather. The sides meet at Hard Rock Stadium from 5:00 pm local time (2200 GMT), with the victors advancing to a semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland.

Much of the pre-match talk has centred on England’s Harry Kane and Norway’s Erling Haaland, yet both camps must also contend with oppressive conditions. The National Weather Service has posted a heat advisory, warning that the heat index — air temperature combined with humidity, commonly described as the “feels like” reading — is expected to hit 108 Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius) when the contest begins.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken said his players had prepared with the climate in mind ahead of the Miami meeting. “We have trained very lightly. We haven’t done much hard work,” Solbakken said Friday. “It’s all about being fresh tomorrow.”

Attention on the pitch will fall on Kane, who has six goals in England’s run to the last eight, and Haaland, who has seven. Kane, 32, labelled the 25-year-old Haaland “a beast” while stressing that their games differ. “I see myself as a different player, although I score the same goals,” the England captain said on Friday. “I respect him a lot as a player and as a professional.”

England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to lean on Manchester City defenders John Stones and Marc Guehi — club colleagues of Haaland — to blunt the Norwegian. Guehi and Stones feature in an adjusted back four, while Noni Madueke comes in on the right wing instead of Arsenal colleague Bukayo Saka. 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.”

Later on Saturday, Argentina play Switzerland in Kansas City as they chase a path toward retaining the World Cup. The South Americans dominated their group but have looked vulnerable in the knockout phase, being stretched first by Cape Verde — making their World Cup debut — and then by Egypt. Lionel Messi, who turned 39 during the group stage, has again been the side’s decisive figure, repeatedly producing when Argentina have been under pressure.

Switzerland, tightly organised and led in midfield by Granit Xhaka, may try to punish any fatigue at Arrowhead Stadium. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his players’ resolve. “I would like this national team to be remembered as a team that never gave up,” he said. The 48-year-old was particularly moved by backing from a young supporter. “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 is seeking to add to the 21 goals he has scored across six World Cups, a new record. Xhaka, 33, kept his message to Swiss fans brief. “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.”