Jude Bellingham produced a spectacular two-goal performance to guide England into the World Cup semi-finals securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norway after extra time in Miami. The win keeps England’s hopes alive of lifting their first World Cup trophy since 1966.
Playing in sweltering heat and humidity on Saturday England initially struggled against a spirited Norwegian side making their first World Cup quarter-final appearance in 28 years. Norway took a deserved lead in the 36th minute when winger Andreas Schjelderup fired a stunning long-range strike past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
England required an immediate response and Bellingham delivered in first-half stoppage time. The Real Madrid midfielder brilliantly controlled Anthony Gordon’s pass before striking the ball past goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland to level the score.
The second half remained fiercely contested. Norway had a goal by Torbjørn Heggem disallowed following a VAR review, which identified a foul by Erling Haaland in the build-up. Haaland entered the match with seven tournament goals was effectively neutralized by the English defense and eventually substituted due to fatigue during extra time.
England clinched the winner just three minutes into the added period. Substitute Morgan Rogers unleashed a powerful shot that Nyland could only parry allowing Bellingham to pounce on the rebound and seal the victory.
Despite the triumph, England manager Thomas Tuchel was highly critical of his team's display. "The result is fantastic. We’re in the last four, but I am not happy with the performance," Tuchel noted, citing sloppy play and technical mistakes. However Bellingham defended the squad's resilience, emphasizing their psychological strength to overcome adversity in challenging weather.
On the opposing side Norway’s manager Ståle Solbakken expressed heartbreak but immense pride in his team's historic tournament run.
Before kickoff a moment of silence was observed in memory of South African midfielder Jayden Adams whose passing was announced earlier on Saturday. England will next face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals on Wednesday in Atlanta.
