Bukayo Saka and Nico O'Reilly could have been reading from the same script. Questioned by journalists from Argentina about who they thought has been the best team at this year's World Cup, both responded without hesitation. "England," they said. "It's just my opinion," both added when asked to elaborate.
After the elation of their famous backs-to-the-wall victory in Mexico City, belief is coursing through the veins of England's players. While Thomas Tuchel has major issues to resolve at right-back after Jarell Quansah's two-match suspension was confirmed, they will head to Miami for Saturday's showdown with Norway brimming with confidence despite having to find a way to tame Erling Haaland.
Spirit High After Mexico Win
"100%," said Saka to another question about whether beating Mexico in their own back yard had brought England's players closer together. "The spirit is high and became even higher after that game. How players that haven't played yet came on and the players that have been playing and producing big moments did that again. Everyone had their contribution, and it was just an amazing night for us as a camp. We need to take that spirit into the game against Norway."
Saka lasted 57 minutes against Mexico before being sacrificed for John Stones when Quansah was sent off. The 24-year-old's workload has been managed carefully by England, having arrived at the tournament still suffering from an achilles issue and admitted he was gambling on his fitness during the group stages. But Saka, who has provided three assists including Jude Bellingham's first goal against Mexico, is confident that his best is still to come.
Saka Building Fitness
"Across the tournament, my minutes have been building. I'm building," he said. "Of course, I would have loved to come to this tournament 100 per cent, but that wasn't the case, and everyone's realised that, and they've managed me in the best way possible. But right now, I'm feeling great, and I'm ready to go."
As well as Haaland, whom he knows all too well from Arsenal's regular scrapes with Manchester City, Saka will also come face-to-face with his club captain Martin Ødegaard at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday. He revealed that he has spoken to Ødegaard briefly and warned that England will face threats from all areas against Ståle Solbakkens's side.
Norway Threats Beyond Haaland
"He's been great. He's been in good form, not just him, his teammates, too," said Saka. "We'll focus on them as a collective, because they're in good form, and they've been good this tournament. But we know our strengths and we're focused on winning the game."
Temperatures in Miami are forecasted to exceed 34C with high humidity at a stadium that doesn't have air conditioning, with the added threat of thunderstorms delays. England spent more than a week in Florida before the tournament adjusting to the conditions and are set to return to Inter Miami's training base once more.
Heat and Haaland Challenge
"It's going to be hot," admitted O'Reilly. "Up to now we've played in cool conditions but we're ready for it. We did our pre-camp over there. So I think we'll acclimatise well to the weather."
The City defender goes into the game as one of four England players on a yellow card along with Marc Guéhi, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice but also seemed unfazed about trying to stop Haaland, who has scored an incredible 62 goals in just 54 international appearances. "Erling's Erling. We all know what he's like," he said. "He can score goals, he's dangerous in the box and he's a real threat. But they need to get the ball there first."
For Saka, who laughed off suggestions that he could one day emulate Lionel Messi by playing in six World Cups, the focus is on maintaining their progress under Tuchel. "It's been amazing," he said of the German's impact since succeeding Gareth Southgate. "He's been really good for us on this journey, and you've seen from the qualifiers to now. The results that we have speak for themselves. And in this World Cup, we're still unbeaten. We're just getting better and better each game so I am just looking forward to seeing how it ends."
