England Already Have the Haaland Blueprint in Their Own Back Four

Erling Haaland has scored 162 goals in 198 games for Manchester City, and he has already found the net twice in Norway's run to the World Cup quarter-finals, including a brace in 11 minutes that sank Brazil in the last 16. Yet the man best placed to explain how to stop him says England do not need to look far. They already have the answer in their own defence.

Odin Bjortuft, the Bodo/Glimt centre-back who marked Haaland out of a Champions League tie in January, has given talkSPORT an exclusive breakdown of exactly what it takes to nullify the Norwegian. His conclusion lands directly at the feet of Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi, the pair likely to start together for England when the two nations meet on Saturday.

The Bodo/Glimt Blueprint How an Underdog Silenced Haaland

In January, Bodo/Glimt beat Manchester City 3-1 at the Aspmyra Stadion, a result that ranks among the greatest upsets in recent Champions League history. Bodo's squad was valued at roughly £71million against City's £1.22billion, according to Transfermarkt, yet it was the Norwegian side who dominated.

A Masterclass in Containment, Not Individual Marking

Haaland played the full 90 minutes and managed just three shots, none of them on target. Bjortuft and fellow centre-back Jostein Gundersen shared the defensive load rather than assigning one man to shadow him.

"I think it's almost impossible to manage him on your own. You have to work as a team and as centre backs, you have to work together, maybe 2 against 1 against him, because his abilities are insane, really."

Bjortuft has unique insight into the problem from both sides. He faced Haaland at club level in that Champions League tie, then trained alongside him during Norway's pre-World Cup camp in March.

Why the Bodo Result Was No Fluke

Bodo's win over City was not an isolated shock. They finished the league phase with a 2-1 win away at eventual semi-finalists Atletico Madrid, then beat Inter Milan 5-2 on aggregate in the knockout play-offs before finally bowing out to Sporting in the round of 16.

• Bodo/Glimt won five of their six Champions League games from January onward
• Their win over City was the club's first-ever Champions League victory
• Haaland was held without a shot on target across the full 90 minutes

That run proved Bjortuft's method was not a one-off. It works against elite opposition, repeatedly, which is exactly why England should take note before Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.

Why Konsa and Guehi Are England's Secret Weapon

England's defence does not need to import Bjortuft's theory second-hand. Konsa has effectively been running it for years in the Premier League, and the numbers back it up emphatically.

The Buried Stat That Should Worry Norway

Across five league fixtures for Aston Villa in which Konsa has played, Haaland has scored just one goal in 406 minutes. That is arguably the best individual defensive record against Haaland of any current Premier League centre-back, and it is the single biggest reason England should fancy their chances of shutting him out on Saturday.

Guehi's Inside Track From the Etihad

Guehi's case is different but just as valuable. Since joining Manchester City from Crystal Palace in January, he has trained with Haaland every week, giving him first-hand knowledge of his movement, timing, and triggers that few opposition defenders ever get.

Put Konsa's proven record alongside Guehi's insider knowledge, and England have assembled almost by accident the exact partnership Bjortuft describes: two centre-backs who understand that stopping Haaland is a shared job, not a duel.

Kane's Puzzle Why Norway Can't Copy the Same Plan

Norway's problem at the other end is just as serious, but it requires the opposite solution. Harry Kane scored an extraordinary 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich last season and has continued that form with six goals at this World Cup, putting him firmly in Golden Boot contention alongside Haaland.

Dropping Deep Changes Everything

Bjortuft has never faced Kane, but he has studied him closely enough to know the challenge is fundamentally different from defending Haaland.

"It's a big difference of course. Harry is dropping a lot, so you have to leave some of the responsibility to the midfielders sometimes. He's not just a goalscorer, he sets up his wingers one by one all the time against the goalkeeper. When he drops, you have to be aware."

Tight Marking Versus Managing Space

Where Haaland demands defenders manage space and combine as a unit against his explosive runs, Kane requires the opposite discipline, according to Bjortuft.

"You have to be really close up on him and take him a different way to Haaland. Haaland is really explosive and you have to manage the space a bit more. Harry, you have to be really tight on him so he doesn't get his right foot or left foot open."

That job is likely to fall to Kristoffer Ajer, who faces the unenviable task of getting tight to Kane while Norway's midfield tries to track his deeper movements, a very different challenge to the collective containment job England hope to spring on Haaland.

What Happens Next

Saturday's quarter-final at the World Cup sets up a fascinating tactical mirror. England go in with a defensive pairing that already has proven and insider knowledge of Haaland, while Norway must find a way to stay tight on Kane without the same track record to lean on.

If Konsa and Guehi start as expected, England's approach will be watched closely for signs of the coordinated, team-based defending Bjortuft describes rather than any attempt at one-on-one heroics. Norway, by contrast, may need Ajer and his midfield to show far more individual discipline given Kane's habit of dropping into pockets of space.

England vs Norway kicks off at 10pm BST on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do England play Norway at the World Cup?
England face Norway in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, with kick-off at 10pm BST.

Who is England's likely centre-back pairing against Norway?
Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi look set to start together at centre-back for England, with Konsa's strong record against Erling Haaland and Guehi's insider knowledge from training alongside him at Manchester City both seen as key advantages.

How many goals has Konsa conceded to Haaland?
Ezri Konsa has faced Erling Haaland in five Premier League fixtures while playing for Aston Villa and has conceded just one goal in 406 minutes, one of the best individual defensive records against Haaland in England.

How did Bodo/Glimt beat Manchester City?
Bodo/Glimt beat Manchester City 3-1 in the Champions League in January, with centre-backs Odin Bjortuft and Jostein Gundersen combining to hold Haaland to three shots, none on target, across the full 90 minutes.

Why is Harry Kane harder to defend than Haaland in a different way?
Harry Kane frequently drops deep to link play and set up teammates, whereas Haaland relies on explosive runs into space, meaning defenders must stay tight on Kane individually rather than relying on team coverage as they would against Haaland.

How many goals has Haaland scored at the 2026 World Cup?
Erling Haaland scored twice in Norway's 2-1 round of 16 win over Brazil and is among the leading contenders for the tournament's Golden Boot in his first World Cup appearance.

Who will mark Harry Kane for Norway?
Kristoffer Ajer is expected to take primary responsibility for marking Harry Kane, with Bjortuft suggesting Norway's midfield will also need to track Kane closely when he drops deep to collect the ball.

What is Harry Kane's goal record this season?
Harry Kane scored 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich last season and has added six more for England at the 2026 World Cup, keeping him in contention for the tournament's Golden Boot.