KUCHING: Jude Bellingham delivered when England needed him most, scoring twice to inspire a 2-1 extra-time comeback over Norway at Miami Stadium on Saturday (July 11), sending the Three Lions into the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals.
The Real Madrid midfielder cancelled out Andreas Schjelderup’s first-half opener before netting the decisive goal early in extra time to end Norway’s fairytale debut World Cup campaign.
The victory sends England into their first World Cup semi-final since lifting the World Cup on home soil in 1966, where they will face either Argentina or Switzerland for a place in the final.
Norway, led by captain Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland, made the brighter start and carried the greater attacking threat in the opening half.
After several warning signs, the breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup caught Jordan Pickford off guard with a brilliant strike into the top corner after opting to shoot instead of picking out Haaland inside the penalty area.
England found the perfect response deep into first-half stoppage time as Bellingham arrived to fire home the equaliser, ensuring the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Norway thought they had regained the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Torbjørn Heggem bundled home after Pickford parried Alexander Sørloth’s effort.
However, VAR intervened and ruled out the goal after Haaland was adjudged to have fouled Elliot Anderson in the build-up.
The decision proved a turning point.
England gradually took control as the contest wore on and completed the turnaround early in extra time.
Harry Kane’s initial effort was kept out, but the rebound fell kindly for Bellingham, who calmly slotted home his second goal of the night to put England ahead for the first time.
Norway’s hopes suffered another setback when Haaland was forced off before the second period of extra time, with Jørgen Strand Larsen replacing the striker.
Without their talisman, the World Cup debutants struggled to create another clear opening as England expertly managed the closing stages to secure their place in the last four.
Although Norway’s remarkable journey ends in disappointment, Ståle Solbakken’s side leave the tournament with their heads held high after memorable victories over Brazil and a historic run to the quarter-finals in their maiden FIFA World Cup appearance.
The victory sends England into their first World Cup semi-final since 2018, where they will face either Argentina or Switzerland for a place in the final.
