Can Scotland learn from history-making Norway?

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Can Scotland learn from history-making Norway? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Norway's previous best at a World Cup was reaching the round of 16 in 1938 and 1998ByAmy CanavanBBC Sport ScotlandPublished1 hour agoWith 92 minutes on the clock, when they were leading record World Cup winners Brazil 2-0 in their round of 16 match, ITV commentator Sam Matterface said Norway were "a force to be reckoned with". He then went on to rattle off the raft of changes the Norwegians made in the last 15 years - and which appear to be paying dividends - before emerging from the tournament doldrums to dominate Carlo Ancelotti's much-fancied side on the biggest stage of them all.

Brazil were barely allowed a sniff in New Jersey as two goals from their "absolute monster" of a world-class forward in Erling Haaland steered Norway into the quarter-finals for the first time on their return to the tournament after a 28-year absence. The Manchester City striker and his mates face the team from the land of his birth - England - on Saturday and will no doubt gain support from a section of Scots who will swap Viking gear for the sombreros donned for the Auld Enemy's previous match with Mexico. But how much attention should Scotland really be paying to the Norwegian system given their own failure to reach the group stage following their own 28-year wait for a return to the World Cup?

The Details

As Norway advance, is Wright correct about Scottish football's ills? Published1 day agoPampered, protected & primed - so why didn't Scotland players perform? Published29 JuneWhy new Scotland head coach has tricky task Published7 days agoReacting and investing when in a rutJust 11 days before Haaland took his tournament tally to seven goals, Steve Clarke's side were left bruised by the Brazilians as they failed to achieve their goal of reaching the knockout stages for the first time.

Since then, fingers have been pointed at the players, the Scottish FA and the head coach, who resigned in the aftermath. Former England striker Ian Wright said "somebody is letting down Scotland on a massive scale" and called for a "bolder, braver vision" as he drew comparisons with Norway's impressive domestic broadcast deal and their stars' ability to shine on centre stage. The two nations have almost identical populations, so how have the Scandinavians aced their plan of attack?

Well, for starters, they realised when they were in a rut and acted on it. After a decade or so of failing to qualify for major tournaments - since Euro 2000 - the authorities hit the reset button. A whack of investment into coaching courses, artificial pitches and a National Team School (NTS), in addition to a shift in domestic strategies.

From 2016 to 2025 alone, 539 new artificial surfaces were built and another 586 renovated, with the landscape flipping from a lack of interest and enthusiasm to swarms of people squashed together in Times Square taking part in a 'Viking row' together.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.