World Cup 2026: France going out? Chris Sutton’s score predictions for quarter-final ties

Miami / 22:00 BST

England’s 3-2 win over Mexico was probably the game of the tournament so far.

I really enjoyed the resilience they showed with 10 men, with the subs coming on and John Stones blocking things, Dan Burn heading every ball clear and Djed Spence making some really important challenges.

This will be a different kind of test for Thomas Tuchel’s side, but I think it will be just as close.

Orjan Nyland made some great saves to help Norway get past Brazil, but I’ve seen quite a lot of them and think they are a good side.

Everyone knows about their star quality in Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland and, after shooting down Brazil, I am sure Haaland will have a big say in what happens in this game as well.

His movement for his first goal against Brazil was just unbelievable. His contest with Gabriel was hyped up before the game but Haaland won that battle hands down.

Heading is not even among his best attributes, but he stayed out of Gabriel’s eyeline and, at the point the cross was played, he anticipated where it was going, and the defender got nowhere near him.

There are going to be more goals in this game and it would not surprise me if Haaland got a couple of them.

England have not controlled games the way I think people expected them to. They have been a team of moments at this World Cup, in that they have produced some moments of quality at the right times to get through.

At the same time, though, I don’t see Norway’s defence keeping Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham quiet.

If the game opens up, then England won’t mind that one bit. I think there is even more to come from their front players, starting here.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-3

AI’s prediction: 1-2