West Brom, Wolves and Villa links driving Norway’s World Cup surge and England quarter-final | OneFootball

Norway’s World Cup charge, led by former Wolves boss Stale Solbakken, carries a strong West Midlands imprint. ExpressAndStar.com highlights the West Brom, Wolves and Aston Villa links driving their rise.

In New Jersey on Sunday, Erling Haaland struck two late goals to beat Brazil and set up a quarter-final against Thomas Tuchel’s England in Miami. It was Norway’s first progression beyond the last 16 after three previous exits, with many expecting England to meet Brazil instead.

Solbakken, Norway’s head coach, spent six months in charge of Wolves from July 2012 to January 2013. Both sides are three wins from the title.

Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, 35, saved Bruno Guimaraes’ penalty and produced a string of stops. The former Villa man made 35 appearances from 2018, many in the 2018/19 promotion push, and started the EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City in March 2020.

After leaving Villa, he joined Norwich on a free in February 2021, then moved through Bournemouth and Reading, totalling 13 games. He joined Sevilla in 2023, has played 66 times, and now owns 70 caps. Haaland downplayed his brace and credited Nyland’s decisive saves, notably the penalty.

Defender Torbjorn Heggem joined West Brom from IF Brommapojkarna for around £500,000 in 2024, then Bologna paid £10 million a year later. The 27-year-old made 38 appearances last season, 23 starts, and won his 19th cap against Brazil. Left-back David Moller Wolfe, 24, has 26 caps and remains Solbakken’s pick, despite losing his Wolves place after 11 Premier League starts.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com