Should England man-mark Erling Haaland?

No — assign a collective solution: a defensive centre pairing to read his runs and a deep-lying midfielder (Declan Rice) to cut the supply lines rather than a single man-marker.

Which formation is best against Norway and Haaland?

A compact 4-2-3-1 with two disciplined midfielders to shield the defence and wide attackers who stretch Norway works best to deny Haaland service and exploit transitions.

How England Must Silence Haaland: The Guru’s XI and Plan

Erling Haaland is not merely a goalscorer — he is a problem to be dismantled. Norway build patiently to feed his runs; they do not need chances, they need the right moments. England face a tactical puzzle: deny service, control second balls and invite Norway into corridors where Haaland is less dangerous.

The defence must be compact and clever rather than brutish. Pick a back four with Kyle Walker and Ben Chilwell providing controlled width, and John Stones partnered by Joe Gomez in the middle to read and intercept Haaland’s movement. Declan Rice must sit deep as the shield; he should be given licence to step into the channels and cut the passes before they reach the No.9.

Attack and transition decide this tie. Harry Kane must drop, draw defenders and create space for Jude Bellingham to drive between lines; Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden should stretch Norway and punish any narrowness. Set plays and quick counters will equalise the natural aerial and physical advantages Haaland carries; England must turn moments of chaos into rehearsed opportunity.

The Guru’s line is clear: pick intelligence, mobility and midfield dominance. My recommended XI: Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Joe Gomez, Ben Chilwell; Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham; Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane; with an aggressive, press-first instruction and Rice as the midfield anchor. England win 2-1 if they execute; anything less disciplined hands Norway control — and Haaland the game.