England came through a testing encounter against Norway in Miami, with their backline finally rising to the occasion in the closing stages, according to the Guardian. The report described England as being back in “Azteca mode” by the end, holding firm as Norway searched for a way through.

Dan Burn was on hand to thump away Norwegian headers, while Reece James and Djed Spence, described by the Guardian as “magnificent,” covered the flanks. Elliot Anderson took care of midfield largely on his own as England defended a back five late in extra time.

The Guardian noted that Norway’s task was made harder because the “hulking figure” leading their attack was no longer on the pitch as they tried to break down England’s defence at the end of extra time.

The publication stopped short of calling the display a tactical or defensive masterclass from Thomas Tuchel. Instead, it characterised the German’s half-time decision as a rare misstep, one that handed the initiative to Martin Odegaard when the unwell Declan Rice had to be substituted.

Tuchel spent much of the second half trying to correct the mistake. Reece James had to come on for Anthony Gordon, depriving England of one of their main counterattacking outlets as a sense of dread took hold, according to the Guardian.

Order was only restored when the counterpressing of Morgan Rogers was added to the midfield mix, the report said, helping England steady themselves through to the end of the game.