England's World Cup campaign faces a new roadblock in Erling Haaland's Norway - but would the unstoppable striker meet his match in the Three Lions? We took to EA Sports FC 26 to find out05:02, 11 Jul 2026After all the drama of the Estadio Azteca last weekend, it’s been a long week of anticipation for England fans. But the moment of truth is almost upon us as the Three Lions head to Miami for a third World Cup quarter final in three consecutive tournaments.‌The opponents this time are a formidable Norway team who knocked out Brazil in the last round, in no small part due to the brilliance of monster forward Erling Haaland. The Manchester City man may have been born in Leeds but he’ll be more than happy to dump England out to get to the semi-finals.‌While Haaland will surely give his City teammates Marc Guehi and John Stones some defensive headaches, England boss Thomas Tuchel has a migraine of his own to handle. After the chaotic 3-2 win over Mexico in their own backyard, a number of players have joined the unavailable list.‌So how will this crunch quarter final tie play out? We took to EA Sports FC 26 to find out.England lineup vs Norway simulated by EA FC 26Jarrell Quansah’s red card against Mexico means he is suspended, and he has now been banned for a second game should England get past Norway. Jordan Henderson injured himself celebrating the win in Mexico City, and is now out for the tournament.‌There are doubts over Marc Guehi and Declan Rice, but Tuchel is hopeful that the pair will be available come kick-off at 10pm BST tonight (Saturday, July 11). The defensive selection nightmare for England means that Djed Spence will surely start as England’s only fit right-back, with Reece James also still out.England simulated starting XI v Norway: Jordan Pickford; Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon.England v Norway World Cup quarter final simulated by EA Sports FC 26England almost got off to the perfect start just seven minutes in, but Elliot Anderson wasted a glorious chance by firing well over the bar from 12 yards. The first half wore on as both sides concentrated on keeping the ball and sussing each other out.‌After half an hour of tactical cat-and-mouse, the deadlock was finally broken. And it was that man Jude Bellingham once again.The Real Madrid star blazed his shot into the roof of the net from 16 yards after shrugging off Norway defender Kristoffer Ajer, sending England fans into raptures. It almost got twice as good for the Three Lions just two minutes later, but Spence’s shot was stopped by Nyland in the Norway goal and Anderson skewed the rebound wide.England kept the lead for exactly 10 minutes, falling back level with their opponents just before the half-time break. Skipper Martin Odegaard pulled Norway back to parity with a powerful drive from the edge of the box that Pickford was unable to reach.‌The sides went in even at half-time, which was a fair reflection of the action so far. But England created slightly more and should have done better with the chances they had.A tetchy second half awaited them. Would Anderson and his countrymen rue the missed efforts of the first 45?‌After 10 minutes of second half action, they were almost left heads in hands. The looming figure of Haaland was in prime position to score after Sander Berge slammed his effort onto the bar.But the red-hot striker watched on in disbelief when he volleyed the rebound first time only to be stopped by Pickford. The Everton goalkeeper kept the ball out superbly, stopping it with an outstretched foot and continued his heroics from the Azteca last weekend.‌There was plenty of action at the other end, too. Bukayo Saka was denied by Nyland and Bellingham rifled the rebound against the back of Heggem. Surely another goal was coming?The supporters only had to wait a further four minutes for it. Once again, England took the lead - this time through Anthony Gordon.Captain Harry Kane fed the winger with a cute ball between the Norway defenders, and Gordon promptly obliged with a finish into the top corner. England were on the brink of a World Cup semi final, having been denied by France in 2022.‌Haaland could well have dampened the English spirits on 77 minutes when his thunderous, ambitious drive from range rattled Pickford’s crossbar. Haaland was then left inconsolable when Bellingham added the cherry on top in injury time.After a patient move on the edge of the Norway box, the tired legs of the Norwegian defence allowed space to open up for the Three Lions. Bellingham was once again in the right place at the right time and he fired into the top of the net from six yards.Article continues belowEngland v Norway World Cup quarter final result simulated by EA Sports FC 26Norway 1 - 3 EnglandMany might have expected either Kane or Haaland to respond to Kylian Mbappe’s latest goalscoring exploits against Morocco, as France themselves marched into the last four. Neither forward added to their tally in this simulation.Build-up to the game has been dominated by talk of two of the world’s best strikers going toe-to-toe. But the result was instead decided by a maverick midfielder increasingly staking his claim as England’s best player.Nobody would be more delighted than Kane for Bellingham’s brilliance. And if that ends up being the outcome around midnight back home tonight, England fans will be elated too.