England booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after coming from behind to defeat Norway 2-1 after extra time, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice in a dramatic quarter-final clash in Miami.
Thomas Tuchel’s side recovered from a first-half setback to move within one victory of a first men’s World Cup final since 1966. England will now face either Argentina or Switzerland in the last four.
Norway strike first as England respond
Norway took the lead in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup’s dipping effort beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
England responded just before the break through Bellingham, who latched onto Anthony Gordon’s pass before calmly finishing past Orjan Nyland in first-half stoppage time to restore parity.
Tuchel was forced into two changes at half-time, replacing Declan Rice, who had been struggling with illness and injury, along with Noni Madueke. Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka were introduced as England searched for a winner.
Norway came close to regaining the lead in the second half after Torbjorn Heggem found the net, but the goal was ruled out for Erling Haaland’s foul on Elliot Anderson during the build-up.
David Moller Wolfe also struck the crossbar as the Scandinavians piled on the pressure.
Bellingham delivers in extra time
The decisive moment arrived three minutes into extra time when Bellingham reacted quickest after Nyland parried Morgan Rogers’ shot into his path. The midfielder fired home his second goal of the match to complete England’s comeback.
Haaland, who had been kept quiet for much of the contest, was substituted at half-time in extra time as Norway’s hopes faded.
England held firm during the closing stages to secure a place in the semi-finals for the third time since winning the World Cup in 1966.
Tuchel’s side will now look to end decades of near misses, having lost in the semi-finals to West Germany in 1990 and Croatia in 2018.
Victory against either Argentina or Switzerland would send England into their first World Cup final in 60 years.
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