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England's injury concerns appeared to lift on Friday ahead of their pivotal World Cup quarterfinal showdown with Norway.
Declan Rice, Marc Guéhi and Reece James all featured in training, having each dealt with disrupted preparations due to illness and injury. Rice had been under the weather for several days, while Guéhi picked up a hamstring complaint during the thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. James had been absent since England's group stage triumph against Ghana.
Thomas Tuchel described it as "the best news" to have all three back on the training pitch and acclimatizing to the Miami heat ahead of what promises to be a scorching occasion at Hard Rock Stadium.
Beyond the injury updates, the conversation from an England standpoint has largely centered on how to contain Erling Haaland. For Norway, the focus has been equally one-sided, with Harry Kane commanding attention following a stunning 12 months of prolific scoring for both club and country.
Norway vs. England Not Just Haaland vs. Kane
Norway manager Ståle Solbakken acknowledged both players are pivotal figures for their respective sides, but cautioned against reducing the match to a two-man contest.
"It's no secret that Kane is match-winner number one for England and Erling is match-winner number one for us," he told BBC Sport. "There's no doubt that he [Haaland] is our biggest match-winner, but I think you underestimate some of the other players if you think that's the whole theme.
"He also needs service, but you can't deny that he is a big, big match-winner for us."
That supply could come from Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard, who will square off against Jude Bellingham in a compelling battle of the No. 10s, along with wingers Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup—though only one is expected to start given both are most effective on the left flank. Alexander Sørloth poses another threat through his physicality, bringing a distinctly different dimension to Norway's attacking play.
England the Ones Under Pressure
England's attacking threat is expected to be generated not only through Bellingham but also via wingers Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon. Saka has had a relatively subdued World Cup to date, with Tuchel carefully managing his workload following injury and rotating him with Noni Madueke, while Gordon burst onto the scene against DR Congo in England's final group stage fixture before delivering another strong display against Mexico.
In Solbakken's view, it is the Three Lions who carry the tag of "favorites" and will feel the weight of expectation more acutely than Norway—despite his side having already eliminated Brazil in the round of 16.
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"I think England have more pressure than us," Solbakken said at his press conference. "But we also put pressure on our own performance. Once the game kicks off I don't think the players dwell on the pressure."
The winner of the Miami clash will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the second World Cup semifinal, scheduled to take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The other last-four matchup has already been set, with 2018 champions France taking on 2010 winners Spain in a blockbuster encounter.