The West Brom, Wolves and Aston Villa influence in Norway's historic World Cup run and England date

Never was it louder than in New Jersey on Sunday evening, when talisman Erling Haaland scored two late goals to see off Brazil and book his side a quarter-final date against England on Saturday.

Norway, under former Wolves boss Stale Solbakken, made history with the victory having not made it beyond the last 16 in three previous World Cups.

Now the Vikings are the next opponents for Thomas Tuchel’s England, with both nations just three victories from being crowned world champions.

For many they are unlikely opponents in Miami this weekend, as the common ‘likely route’ for England to glory saw them come up against Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil in the last eight.

But head coach Solbakken, who had six months at Wolves between July 2012 and January 2013, is not the only Black Country and West Midlands presence guiding Norway to new heights.

Star between the sticks

Uninvested West Midlands football observers might have been scratching their heads thinking the name of Norway’s goalkeeping hero against Brazil sounded familiar.

Villa fans had a better idea of keeper Orjan Nyland, who saved Bruno Guimaraes’ penalty and made countless stops.

Veteran goalkeeper Nyland, now 35, spent two years at Villa Park from 2018 and made 35 appearances in all - many came during the Championship promotion campaign of 2018/19. He was in goal for the EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City in March 2020.

The keeper lost his place as No.1 midway through the Championship season due to injury and failed to make it his own again before a free transfer to Norwich in February 2021. He moved on to Bournemouth and Reading playing a total of 13 games across the trio.

After a brief stint in Leipzig he moved to Sevilla in 2023 where game time was more regular. He has featured 66 times for the Spaniards.

But the 70-cap keeper shone in an inspired display against Brazil - as Haaland said: “My goals? I’d rather talk about Orjan Nyland. Goals are easy to remember. People forget the big saves, especially that penalty stop, and the moments that keep you alive in a game. Every time they looked like they were about to score, he was there.”

Supremely cool stopper

There was little fanfare when Albion brought in left-sided centre-back Torbjorn Heggem from IF Brommapojkarna in Sweden for around £500,000 in 2024.

That Heggem impressed so much to move to Italian outfit Bologna for £10million just 12 months later tells its own story.

Heggem was imperious during his year at The Hawthorns. Capable at left-back but at home in the middle, he radiated coolness and was unflappable as the Baggies pushed for the play-offs.

Player of the season awards were in no doubt. Heggem, 27, played 38 times for Bologna last term, 23 as a Serie A starter.

Like Nyland, he has been a regular at the World Cup and won his 19th cap against Brazil.

Molineux man at full-back

David Moller Wolfe played 26 times in his debut season at Wolves, but just 11 as a Premier League starter in relegation from the top flight.

The £10million summer signing, 24, initially started in the team but took time to adapt to English football before losing his place to Hugo Bueno.

He had some solid performances from the bench or in cup competitions but never solidified his place in the Premier League team.

Wolfe continues to excel for Norway, however. He won a 26th cap on Sunday and is Solbakken’s go-to man at left-back next to Heggem, as Norway look for a way to blunt England.