England booked their place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami, thanks to an inspired brace from Jude Bellingham.
The Three Lions looked to be heading for a shock exit after Norway took the lead through Andreas Schjelderup in the 36th minute. The Scandinavian side, who had already stunned Brazil in the Round of 16, defended resolutely and threatened to produce another World Cup upset.
However, England’s biggest star stepped up when it mattered most.
Just before half-time, Bellingham produced a moment of brilliance, weaving through the Norwegian defence before firing home the equaliser to restore hope for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The second half was fiercely contested, with Norway creating several dangerous chances while England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was called into action. Erling Haaland was kept unusually quiet as England’s defence tightened its grip on the Norwegian captain.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the quarter-final headed into extra time.
Only three minutes into the additional period, Bellingham struck again. Morgan Rogers’ effort was spilled by goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, allowing the Real Madrid midfielder to react quickest and bundle home the decisive goal that sent England into the last four.
The match was not without controversy. Norway protested England’s equaliser after claiming the ball had struck an overhead camera cable during the build-up. VAR reviewed the incident, but FIFA confirmed there was no evidence of contact, allowing the goal to stand.
Bellingham’s match-winning performance took his World Cup tally to six goals, strengthening his chances of finishing as the tournament’s Golden Boot winner while once again proving decisive on football’s biggest stage.
England will now face Argentina in what promises to be another blockbuster World Cup semi-final, while Norway bow out after a historic tournament that included memorable victories over Ivory Coast and five-time champions Brazil.
