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Jude Bellingham produced another match-winning performance as England fought back to defeat Norway 2-1 after extra time on Saturday, securing a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Real Madrid midfielder scored twice, including the decisive extra-time winner, to send Thomas Tuchel’s side into the last four, where they will face either Argentina or Switzerland.
England endured a difficult evening at Miami Stadium, battling intense heat, humidity and a determined Norwegian side that threatened to cause one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
Norway struck first in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a dipping effort after being picked out by captain Martin Ødegaard.
England, however, responded just before the interval as Anthony Gordon slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Bellingham’s path, allowing the midfielder to calmly fire past Ørjan Nyland to restore parity in first-half stoppage time.
Tuchel reshuffled his side at the break, introducing Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze after Declan Rice, who had been struggling with illness and injury, and Noni Madueke were withdrawn.
Norway came close to regaining the lead in the second half when Torbjørn Heggem found the net, but the goal was ruled out after VAR penalised Erling Haaland for pushing Elliot Anderson during the build-up. David Møller Wolfe also rattled the crossbar as England struggled to contain the Scandinavian side.
With both teams showing signs of fatigue, the contest drifted into extra time before Bellingham once again delivered for England.
Just three minutes into the additional period, substitute Morgan Rogers tested Nyland with a powerful effort. The Norwegian goalkeeper could only parry the shot into the path of Bellingham, who reacted quickest to convert the rebound and complete England’s comeback.
The victory sends England into only their third World Cup semi-final since lifting the trophy in 1966, having previously fallen at the last-four stage in 1990 and 2018.
Bellingham’s latest heroics also took his tally to six goals at the tournament, underlining his importance to England’s title challenge.
Norway, meanwhile, bowed out after an impressive campaign. Despite the disappointment, they pushed England throughout the contest and created several clear opportunities, while Haaland was largely kept quiet before being substituted during extra time.
England will now turn their attention to a mouth-watering semi-final showdown as they move one step closer to ending their 60-year wait for another FIFA World Cup title.
