Former Reading FC goalkeeper Orjan Nyland will be aiming to end England’s World Cup dream when Norway take on the Three Lions in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Nyland, who spent the 2022-23 season at Reading, has become one of the stories of the tournament after producing a series of outstanding performances to help Norway reach the last eight for the first time in their history.
The 35-year-old was the hero in Norway’s shock 2-1 victory over Brazil in the last 16, saving an early penalty before making a string of crucial stops to deny the five-time world champions. His display earned widespread praise as Norway booked a quarter-final against England.
Nyland made 10 appearances for Reading after joining from Bournemouth in 2022. Although his spell at the Select Car Leasing Stadium lasted just one season before he moved to RB Leipzig and then enjoyed a much more successful spell with Spanish side Sevilla. However, his contract with Sevilla ended last month and he is now a free agent.
England secured their place in the quarter-finals after beating Mexico 3-2, setting up a showdown with Erling Haaland’s Norway side. The winner will progress to the World Cup semi-finals.
The quarter-final kicks off at 10pm BST on Saturday at Miami Stadium in Florida.
Football fans across Reading and Wokingham are expected to pack pubs, bars and sports venues showing the match, with many venues in both boroughs screening England’s biggest game of the tournament so far.
For Nyland, it will be another chance to enhance his growing World Cup reputation – but for England supporters in Berkshire, the former Royals goalkeeper has become the man standing between the Three Lions and a place in the semi-finals.
