England Reach World Cup Semi-finals
Published: 09:29 AM, 12 July 2026
Jude Bellingham produced another match-winning display as England came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 after extra time and secure a place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
The 1966 world champions recovered from an early setback to book their fourth World Cup semi-final appearance with victory in a thrilling quarter-final in Miami on Sunday (Bangladesh time).
Norway, one of the surprise packages of the tournament, took the lead in the 36th minute through Andreas Schjelderup. However, Bellingham restored parity in the second minute of first-half stoppage time. With neither side able to find a winner in the second half, the match went into extra time.
Just three minutes into the additional period, Bellingham struck again. Morgan Rogers' long-range effort was spilled by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, and the England midfielder reacted quickest to slot home the rebound in front of a crowd of 64,478.
The victory sends Thomas Tuchel's side into the semi-finals, where they will face either defending champions Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta on Wednesday night (Bangladesh time).
For Norway, the defeat ended a memorable campaign. Making their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, they bowed out in the quarter-finals after winning four matches during the tournament, having previously managed only two World Cup victories across their first three appearances.
Erling Haaland, who had scored seven goals in the tournament, was kept unusually quiet and failed to score for the first time in his last 16 international appearances.
The opening stages were played at a cautious pace, with both teams seemingly affected by the intense heat. Norway came close in the 35th minute when Julian Ryerson's cross found Haaland, whose powerful header was comfortably saved by Jordan Pickford.
A minute later, Norway broke the deadlock. Patrick Berg dispossessed Harry Kane near midfield before releasing Schjelderup on the left. The winger skipped past Ezri Konsa and fired a precise low shot into the far corner. England appealed for a foul on Kane in the build-up, but the referee waved play on.
Norway looked capable of extending their advantage as Alexander Sorloth fired over the bar and Martin Odegaard forced another save from Pickford. In the 44th minute, Sorloth missed a golden opportunity after choosing to shoot instead of passing to the unmarked Haaland.
England punished that missed chance just before the break. Anthony Gordon's clever pass found Bellingham on the edge of the penalty area, and the midfielder beat two defenders before calmly finishing to make it 1-1.
England thought they had taken the lead before half-time when Harry Kane found the net, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
VAR was again involved 10 minutes into the second half, disallowing what appeared to be Torbjorn Heggem's goal for Norway after Haaland was adjudged to have fouled Elliot Anderson inside the penalty area.
Norway regained momentum after introducing Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa in the 67th minute. David Moller Wolfe then came agonisingly close, heading against the crossbar with Pickford beaten.
England almost snatched victory late in normal time when substitute Bukayo Saka delivered a dangerous low cross across the face of goal, but none of his teammates could apply the finishing touch.
After Bellingham's extra-time winner, England were briefly awarded a penalty following a challenge on Eberechi Eze, only for VAR to overturn the decision.
Haaland was substituted at the end of the first period of extra time, and despite Norway's late pressure, England defended resolutely to seal a hard-fought victory and continue their quest for a second World Cup title.
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