The Norwegian national team have reportedly been hit by a bout of sickness ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against England on Saturday.
The Vikings booked their place in the last eight with a 2-1 victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil in New Jersey on Sunday.
It was a result which sparked jubilant scenes on the pitch at the MetLife Stadium as the Norwegians performed their signature ‘Viking Row’ along with the thousands of fans packed into the stands.
Later, manager Stale Solbakken delivered a passionate speech in the dressing room, describing the win as the ‘best in Norwegian history’ as an ecstatic Erling Haaland stood topless next to him.
‘We had a plan that you guys followed perfectly,’ he said. ‘We had matchwinners in both ends of the pitch. I just told them, Erling, you can all go out tonight.’
Yet in the aftermath of their scalp of Brazil – and the proceeding night out – fears of fatigue and illness are reported to be causing distress in the Norwegian camp.
Norway booked their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Sunday and celebrated wildly in the dressing room afterwards
Martin Odegaard posed for a wholesome picture in the stands with his wife
And Erling Haaland appeared ecstatic in the changing room after the squad were told they could head out for the night
Since landing in North America last month, the Scandinavians have travelled thousands of miles. Having begun their campaign in Boston, they flew to New Jersey, before heading back to Boston and then down to Dallas. Their Round of 16 match against Brazil was meanwhile played back in New Jersey.
And, according to Norwegian outlet Dagbladet, all of that jet-setting has taken its toll on the squad.
Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen missed the opening game of the tournament through illness, while Marcus Holmgren Pedersen was absent from the clash against Brazil with a bug. Manager Solbakken was also spotted coughing violently at a press conference after Norway’s 4-1 defeat to France.
‘We’ve really only had Jorgen who has had a fever,’ the manager said. ‘But then there’s been a bit of coughing and rasping evenly, scattered throughout.
‘But there’s air conditioning, flights, changing rooms and all that. We’re over 50 people so it would be strange if one or the other didn’t come.’
Norway are set to travel south from their base in Greensboro, North Carolina, to Miami later today, giving them more than four days to prepare for Saturday’s clash with England.
Prior to this tournament the Norwegians had never made it past the group stages of a major tournament and will play a side ranked some 15 places above them for a place in the semi-finals.
Solbakken said: ‘We have to study England but obviously we have seen them in their previous games in the tournament and they will be a very strong opponent but hopefully it will be a very even and tight game.’
The Norwegians will travel down to Miami today ahead of their clash with England
The Three Lions head into the match on the back of a historic 3-2 victory at the Azteca Stadium on Monday.
Following an hour-long delay, the game eventually got underway at 2am and it took England 36 minutes to break the deadlock.
Jude Bellingham put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead, before he netted a second just 98 later. The first goal saw the Real Madrid man nod home a Bukayo Saka cross, while for the second he bundled another ball from the right into the back of the net.
But, from there, the Mexicans hit back. When Julian Quinones lashed home on the brink of half-time it appeared as though England may squander their lead.
However, after Jarell Quansah was sent off for a reckless challenge, Harry Kane later stepped up from the penalty spot to put Tuchel’s men 3-1 up. Raul Jimenez hit back with a penalty of his own, but England ultimately held on for a historic victory.
Tuchel said after the game: ‘A heroic performance and a heroic result. I’m so happy with the players, and also for me, to live this experience in the last two days. Such a special memory, and against all the adversity it makes it very special for us.
‘If a team has heart and belief then it’s this team. They did it on pure will. No words. Iconic match, iconic stadium, we overcame so much adversity today.’
The Three Lions will be without Quansah for the Norway game following his red card against Mexico, and Jordan Henderson will also miss out.
The Brentford midfielder suffered a freak injury when he took a tumble over an advertising hoarding and appeared to land on his arm. Henderson is thought to have broken his wrist, and stayed in Mexico City yesterday as the rest of the squad flew back to their base in Kansas City.
Whether Reece James will recover from his knock in time for the 10pm kick-off remains to be seen.
