FLORIDA: Jude Bellingham once again came to the fore with a brace as England overcame Norway in extra time to book a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final at the Miami Stadium on Sunday.
Norway dominated the first half and put England on the back foot by taking the lead in the 36th minute. Andreas Schjelderup curled home with a superb finish after being picked out by Martin Ødegaard.
Harry Kane, who went down during the build-up, appealed for a foul, but the referee allowed the goal to stand.
It looked as though the Vikings would take a lead into half-time until Jude Bellingham produced a moment of magic to draw level.
The Real Madrid midfielder converted Anthony Gordon’s cross with one touch in first-half stoppage time to bring his side back into the game.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
After the break, Tuchel introduced Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze for the ineffective Noni Madueke and Declan Rice; the Arsenal midfielder had been suffering from illness earlier in the week.
But those changes left England light in midfield, and they were left hanging on at times in the second half.
Norway’s aggressive play created several opportunities, including a goal that was controversially ruled out. The goal, which came from a set-piece, was disallowed after Erling Haaland pushed an England player to the ground before the ball was delivered.
Following a VAR review, the referee disallowed the goal, and Thomas Tuchel’s men let out a sigh of relief.
Both sides visibly wilted in the energy-sapping conditions late on but were forced to endure an extra 30 minutes.
Two minutes past extra time, Bellingham came up with another big moment as he pounced on an error by Orjan Nyland to sweep in his sixth goal of the tournament.
Nyland had been Norway’s supporting act in the last 16 win over Brazil with a series of saves before Haaland struck twice late on for a landmark victory.
Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!
This time the Sevilla goalkeeper was the villain as he spilled substitute Morgan Rogers’ shot from distance and Bellingham pounced and scored.
England were awarded a penalty moments later, but this time VAR intervened in Norway’s favour to deem Djed Spence had initiated contact inside the box.
Yet, Norway’s spirit was already crushed, epitomised by a slouched Haaland watching on from the bench with nothing more to give.
England will face Argentina or Switzerland on Wednesday for the chance to reach a first FIFA World Cup final in 60 years.
