It is one of those times when WhatsApp group chats quieten down. Friendships tend to be suspended when a World Cup quarter-final comes around and club mates, flung against one another for their countries, turn their eyes towards the biggest prize. Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard will not be exchanging breezy pleasantries in the hours before England face Norway but the levels of respect are off the scale. The clash between two architects of Arsenal’s modern success should be decisive in determining who goes through. They have walked out together 117 times but the 118th, in the stifling heat of Miami, may leave the most lasting mark.
These are two players in their prime who may never receive another opportunity this golden. Rice and Ødegaard were born 28 days apart and, partly because of the latter’s fast-tracking into the Norway senior team, did not play against each other at age-group level. Their face-offs have been limited to Mikel Arteta’s intense training sessions at London Colney, where they are depended upon to set standards. They are leaders of differing style and status who will be expected to galvanise their national teams on Saturday.
