Norway dealt new injury worry before England showdown but Erling Haaland gamble pays off | OneFootball

The only negative from Norway’s stunning win over Brazil in World Cup last-16

Norway have been dealt a new injury scare ahead of facing England in the World Cup quarter-final.

David Moller Wolfe was forced off in stoppage-time of Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil on Monday night and could now be a doubt for this weekend’s showdown in Miami.

The Wolves defender started the round of 16 clash in New Jersey, with manager Stale Solbakken making just one change to the side that beat Ivory Coast in the previous round as Julian Ryerson returned from injury.

However, Moller Wolfe’s involvement came to an end shortly after Erling Haaland had doubled Norway’s lead.

The left-back was replaced late on by Leo Ostigard, who went on to concede a penalty from which Neymar converted for a consolation on what was his final ever World Cup appearance.

There is yet to be an update on the 24-year-old regarding the severity of the injury, though he could face a race against the clock to prove his fitness for the quarter-final meeting against England.

Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who missed the win over Brazil, is expected to be available for selection.

"He is not sick. Everyone was in training, but he has been coughing and rasping a bit, and he has been a bit tired the last few days,” Solbakken added.

“But that is normal, and it is not a crisis.”

Solbakken came in for some criticism after making wholesale changes for Norway’s final group game against France, resting the likes of Haaland and captain Martin Odegaard.

While his side suffered a 4-1 loss, thus finishing as runners-up in Group I, the gamble has paid off with Norway now reaching a first-ever World Cup quarter-final.

“It was a no-brainer both on my part, the physio coach, the health and medical, and for some players themselves,” he explained.

“They all said it would be difficult for many of them (to play so soon after facing Senegal), and if some of the players who had played Senegal wouldn’t have been able to play and practice going forward, then the only consideration is taking fans in Norway and here into consideration.

“They would have wanted to see Erling and Martin but we are here to proceed as long as we can.

“This decision was not one that took a lot of time for us to think over. The tests, the samples taken, it was the medicals. They decided to take them and they fed back to me.”