Only European champions England (68) have scored more goals than Belgium so far with 49 in European World Cup qualifiers. Belgium also have qualifying qualifiers top scorer in Tessa Wullaert, who has 15 goals and is just two short of equaling Germany’s Celia Sasic’s European qualifying record of 17 (for the European Championships in 2013).

The 29-year-old Wullaert now plays for Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands, but has previously played for big clubs such as Wolfsburg and Manchester City.

– Of course we are ready for what they have there. “They score a lot of goals and are good at attacking, but we are also good at defending,” Frida Maanum told NTB.

“First of all, there’s a huge difference in level between the teams in this group, and it’s understandable that a lot of goals have been scored,” said Ada Hegerberg and he was of course right. Wullaert has scored all of his goals against the three weakest teams in the group: Three in two big wins against Albania, seven in two big wins against Kosovo and five in a 19-0 win against Armenia.

Effort below

– However, we know that it will be a tough match. Belgium come in with a very positive attitude after their best EC (quarter-finals). At the same time, it’s a great opportunity for us to be able to reset after our weak EC, and I think everyone is motivated to show up. It says WC, and we know its importance. We have quality, but that’s not what has to be down there. It’s all about effort, quite simply. We have to come and win the duel, said the Norwegian striker and vice-captain.

The Lyon forward faces club mate Janice Cayman, who scored in both of Belgium’s games against Poland (1-1 away, 4-0 at home) and has a total of six goals in qualifying. Tine De Caigny from Hoffenheim has ten. Norway’s top scorer in qualifying is Lisa-Marie Utland, who has scored six.

National team manager Hege Riise denied he paid extra attention to the goal-hungry Belgian striker before the game.

Collectively

– Our defensive game is based on collective. “We don’t focus too much on the individual individuals, but on how Belgium want to finish their attacking game,” he told NTB.

– It’s about the collective. Then we know that every team has one or more other stars who can do something extra. We know about it, and then we have to deal with it.

He put his trust in a player who saw a chance of recovery after a dire European Championship play-off.

– We saw Belgium doing well in the EC, and it won’t be an easy game. We have to be sharp from the start and bounce back from the experience we had this summer. I think the most important thing is that we put effort and enthusiasm at the bottom. “We started with fighting spirit, then the technical stuff came,” said Julie Blakstad.