Scholes Warns of 'Big Trouble' Ahead for England if Elite Teams Emerge

Manchester United's Paul Scholes has cast a cautious eye over England's World Cup prospects, backing Thomas Tuchel's men to navigate past Norway this weekend while sounding an ominous alarm about what awaits should they face genuinely elite opposition.

The Three Lions arrive at Saturday's quarter-final in bullish form following a gutsy 3-2 victory over Mexico in the last 16, a performance that saw them hold firm with ten men after Jarell Quansah's dismissal. That sets up a meeting with Norway, who announced themselves as genuine contenders by dismantling Brazil 2-1, with Erling Haaland proving the decisive factor courtesy of a two-goal haul that took his tournament tally to seven.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes expressed confidence England would overcome the Scandinavian challenge. However, his optimism came with a considerable caveat. Once the knockout stages pit the nation against truly top-drawer opposition—the likes of Argentina, Spain, or France—Scholes reckons England will find themselves in "big trouble."

The legendary midfielder acknowledged Scandinavian sides present a particular nuisance, comparing their robotic efficiency to Sweden and Denmark. Yet he remained convinced England possess the wherewithal to dispatch Norway, provided they can solve the Haaland conundrum.

That's where things get thorny. Scholes dismissed suggestions that England's defenders gain an advantage from facing Haaland week-in, week-out in the Premier League. Gabriel's experience against the Manchester City forward proved precisely that point, according to Scholes, who noted the Brazilian was "destroyed" and "bullied" during Norway's demolition of Brazil.

Rather than focusing solely on the Norwegian striker, Scholes identified Martin Odegaard as the true orchestrator of Norway's threat. The Arsenal playmaker, he argued, is the vital link in the chain—shutting down his service represents the most effective means of neutralizing Haaland's menace.

The bottom line, Scholes suggested, is brutally simple: England's defenders will need the performances of their lives to keep Haaland quiet, and the team must outscore their opponents to progress.