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[Chunzliu]

It feels like yesterday that this man-and the entire lengthy meta-completely took over Ultimate Team. Anyone who played FC in that era remembers how wild it was. He was everywhere. He was dominant. He was practically unstoppable. And now FC 26 Coins, in EA FC 26, we're right back where it all began with a new Showdown featuring Italy vs. Norway and a card that instantly brings back that nostalgia.
Yes, it's time to talk about Alexander Sørloth.

With a +2 upgrade on the line, Showdown cards have become some of the best value SBCs this year. And whether Italy or Norway come out on top, this matchup has produced one of the most interesting forwards of Season 2. But what makes this card special isn't just its upgrade potential-it's the rare, old-school lengthy striker experience returning to the game.

Let's break down the card, how he plays in real matches, the best chem styles, his weaknesses, strengths, value, and whether this is a must-complete SBC.

A Throwback to the Long-Lost Lengthy Meta

For players who remember early FC 24, the lengthy meta defined the entire year. Big strikers with massive frames, long strides, and outrageous strength became some of the most dangerous players in the game. And while EA has balanced the mechanic in FC 26, certain cards still fit the old formula perfectly-and Sørloth is one of them.

Standing at 6'5", matching Erling Haaland's height exactly, Sørloth brings brute force and terrifying physics into the box. What's more, he shares Haaland's Enforcer playstyle-arguably the most impactful part of his kit.

He comes with:

 3★ skills / 4★ weak foot
 Right mid / right wing secondary positions (huge EVO potential)
 Power Shot, Precision, Low Driven, Game Changer, Enforcer
 85 overall with a +2 upgrade possibility

This isn't your typical technical dribbler. This is a battering ram with surprisingly decent close control and that signature Scandinavian power.

The EVO Potential Makes This Card Extra Interesting

Even if Norway lose, this card fits into several EVO pathways-especially ones designed to turn big forwards into speedy wide players. His ability to play RM and RW opens the door for:

 Pace-boosting winger upgrades
 Right-sided power hybrid roles
 A future high-rated EVO with massive physical + dribbling boosts

If Norway win the showdown and he hits 87 rated, this could quickly turn into one of the most unique power wingers in the game. Think:

 87 pace
 90 shooting
 84 dribbling
 90 physical

On a 6'5" frame.

That's not normal. That's terrifying.

In-Game Performance: Big, Strong, and Surprisingly Composed

Let's get one thing clear upfront: Sørloth is not rapid, he is not agile, and if you expect quick-turn finesse play, you'll be disappointed.

But that's not what he's built for.

Power Running and Hold-Up Play

Using him as the lone striker in a 4-4-1-1, he behaves exactly how you'd expect from a 6'5" powerhouse:

 He bodies defenders using Enforcer.
 He holds the ball effortlessly with a quick tap of L2/LT.
 He creates shooting lanes with brute force rather than finesse.
 His finishing-especially finesse shots-hits top bins consistently.

He may feel like a "double-decker bus" when turning on the ball, but once he's facing goal, he becomes a different beast.

Left Trigger (L2/LT) Is the Secret Sauce

Enforcer changes everything for this card.

Tapping LT:
 Forces defenders off balance
 Opens a shooting angle
 Lets you spin a center-back and shoot
 Punishes players who manually defend aggressively

Many of his goals come from simply receiving the ball, shielding, turning, and firing.

Exactly how early-year Haaland played.

Aerial Threat

Because of:
 6'5" height
 Great jumping
 Strong heading accuracy

He becomes a nightmare on crosses. While the current meta isn't super cross-heavy, precision heading + his physicality means you can play that style effectively.

Dribbling: Better Than Expected

Close control is surprisingly decent once he's already facing the defender. However:

 Big turns feel slow
 Drastic directional changes are clunky
 Explosive acceleration is limited

But with Engine, this improves noticeably.

Chem Style Testing: Hunter vs. Engine

Hunter

This was the initial choice:

 Maxes out pace
 Maxes out shooting
 Turns him into a direct, power-focused finisher

With Hunter, Sørloth becomes a pure battering ram. If your style is long through balls, direct play, and brute force finishing, this works extremely well.

Engine

Switching to Engine for the second match was eye-opening.

Engine:
 Boosts dribbling noticeably
 Helps with left-stick control
 Slightly improves passing
 Keeps him lengthy (crucial)

He doesn't become "agile," but he becomes smoother, more responsive, and more capable in crowded spaces.

Engine is likely the long-term best chem style-especially if he gets upgraded to 87.Match Performance Breakdown

Across the test games:

 4 goals and 1 assist in the debut match
 A penalty scored (despite low pen stats)
 Multiple finesse shots into the corners
 Several power run finishes
 Improved link-up play with Engine applied

His most consistent strengths:

1.Shot power
2.Finesse finishing
3.Shielding and hold-up play
4.Enforcer body bumps
5.Aerial presence

He doesn't need perfect playstyles to be effective.

Weaknesses: Know What You're Getting

To fully understand the card, you must acknowledge the flaws:

1. Lack of top-end mobility

He does not have:

 Rapid
 Finesse
 Quick Step
 Technical

So his dribbling ceiling is limited.

2. Passing range is average
Short passes are fine, but don't rely on long through balls or precision distribution.

3. Heavy turns under tight pressure
Quick tiki-taka isn't his game.

4. Limited pace playstyle boosts
He won't magically feel fast-you must accept the lengthy playstyle as his identity.

The SBC Value: Insanely Cheap

The best part? The SBC cost.

 84-rated squad
 1 Team of the Week
 Roughly 23,000 coins

For a live Showdown card with +2 upgrade potential, that's almost free. Compared to prices in previous years, this is easily one of the best-value attacking SBCs this early in the game cycle.

Even if you don't run him as a starter:

 He fits objectives
 He works in Norway or LaLiga hybrids
 He's an incredible bench weapon
 He has excellent EVO potential later in the year

You just don't get this kind of value often.

Italy vs. Norway: Which Way Does the Upgrade Go?

Predicting the upgrade is tricky:

Norway Pros
 Haaland (if fit)
 Ødegaard (questionable fitness)
 Solid young talent

Italy Pros
 Well-drilled tactical discipline
 Historically strong defensive structure
 More consistent recent form

It could go either way, and that makes this Showdown even more fun.

But the real win is that both players-Sørloth and Locatelli-are usable even without upgrades.

Final Verdict: Complete This SBC

Sørloth plays exactly how you expect:

A budget Haaland.

A true lengthy powerhouse.

A pure physical finisher with surprising finesse.

If you're tired of playing the same meta attackers every match and want something fresh-something powerful, unique, and fun-this card is a perfect pickup.

And at 23k?

It's almost impossible to lose coins here FC 26 Coins for sale.

Sørloth may not fit every playstyle, but for players who love height, strength, and enforcer-style bullying in the box, this is one of the most enjoyable SBC strikers of EA FC 26 so far.