Alan Shearer has gone from doubter to believer ahead of England's meeting with Norway. After the win over Mexico, he said England can now “win this thing”, and that shift gives this preview its edge. [David Seaman] also sees England as stronger than Norway man for man, while the fixture in Miami comes with Erling Haaland in sharp form.
Shearer’s change of view
Shearer’s turn matters because it came after England beat Mexico 3-2 with ten men, following Jarell Quansah’s red card. He said he did not truly believe England could win the World Cup before watching them deal with what was thrown at them in the Azteca Stadium, then added that he had changed his mind.
His wider point was about togetherness. “I don't think I've ever witnessed togetherness or team spirit like that,” he said, calling the result in such a tough scenario “how good it was.” That is the strongest argument in England’s favour right now, because it is not just about talent. It is about a side that has already shown it can absorb a bad moment and keep playing.
The numbers fit that reading too. England’s last five World Cup matches have brought 4 wins and 1 draw, and they have scored 9 goals in that run. They have also conceded 5, so this is not a spotless tournament march, but it is a run with enough attacking output to back up Shearer’s new confidence.
Norway, Haaland and the pressure test
Seaman’s view is simpler. He says England are better than Norway man for man, “apart from striker-ish”, and then points straight at Harry Kane. Kane has 6 World Cup goals in 5 appearances, which gives England a forward line of their own to lean on rather than just a single threat.
Norway are not coming in quietly, though. They have won 4 of their last 5 World Cup matches, scored 12 goals in that spell and conceded 8. Haaland has 7 goals in 4 matches at this World Cup, so England cannot afford to spend the night chasing him in open space.
Shearer’s answer is to cut the supply before it reaches him. He described Haaland as relentless and said the job is to restrict the ball at source. That feels like the right reading, because trying to win a one-man battle against a forward in that kind of rhythm is usually a poor use of energy.
There is still a caution around England’s level of control. Troy Deeney has said they have not dominated a period of any game in this tournament, while David James pointed to the different tests England have already passed. Both views can live in the same conversation, but the Mexico win carries more weight than a simple morale boost. England have already shown they can recover from a red card and still get a result.
The next step is a scheduled one: Norway vs England in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, kicking off at 10pm BST on Saturday.
FAQ
Can England beat Norway after the Mexico win?
England have reason to believe they can. Alan Shearer says the Mexico performance changed his mind, while David Seaman argues England are better than Norway man for man. England’s last five World Cup matches have brought 4 wins and 1 draw, but Norway arrive with 4 wins in their last 5 and Erling Haaland has 7 goals in 4 matches.
Why is Alan Shearer more optimistic about England now?
Shearer said the Mexico game changed his view after England beat Mexico 3-2 with ten men following Jarell Quansah’s red card. He described the togetherness and the way England dealt with pressure as the reason his belief shifted.
How should England handle Erling Haaland?
Shearer says the answer is to restrict Haaland’s supply at source rather than try to stop him directly. That is a sensible warning, because Haaland has 7 goals in 4 World Cup matches and Norway have scored 12 in their last five games.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →