England v Norway sim predicts World Cup golden boot twist as star fires blanks
England will storm into the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup with a convincing win over Norway if our simulation of the crunch tie gets it right. But this meeting of two of world football's best leading men had no impact on what has been a thrilling Golden Boot race during this tournament.
Erling Haaland and Harry Kane arrive in Miami as the tournament's leading Golden Boot contenders, their goals having driven their respective nations to the last eight. Yet in a stunning twist, both world-class finishers drew a complete blank across 90 minutes in our EA Sports FC 26 simulation.
England v Norway simulated by EA Sports FC 26While the elite strikers faltered, it was the midfield engine room that ultimately decided the tie.
England's simulated starting XI v Norway
Thomas Tuchel's now preferred midfield three of Bellingham, Rice and Anderson completely dominated the build-up play, piling up a remarkable 3.1 xG to Norway's 0.7 , reports the Mirror. Yet the final product was severely lacking until Bellingham broke the deadlock on 33 minutes.
Martin Odegaard however punished England's wastefulness with a thunderous drive from the edge of the box on 43 minutes, sending the teams in level at the break.