Jude Bellingham struck twice, including a decisive extra-time winner, as England overcame a stubborn Norway side 2-1 in Miami on 12 July to reach the World Cup semi-finals, having last gone this far at Russia 2018. The win continued a remarkable tournament run that has now seen Thomas Tuchel’s side win four consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since the title-winning campaign in 1966
A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off in memory of South Africa international Jayden Adams, who died aged 25 just weeks after featuring at the tournament, before the action delivered one of the most dramatic and controversial quarter-finals in recent memory.
Norway made the brighter start despite early England pressure, taking the lead in the 36th minute through Andreas Schjelderup, whose effort deflected off the post and beyond Jordan Pickford. England drew level deep into first-half stoppage time when Bellingham latched onto Anthony Gordon’s pass, drove past three defenders and slotted a low finish beyond Orjan Nyland. The build-up carried immediate controversy, with replays appearing to show the ball had clipped an overhead camera cable moments earlier, though FIFA maintained its tracking sensors detected no contact. Harry Kane thought he had put England ahead shortly afterwards, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
The second half belonged largely to Norway, who took control of possession and territory as England struggled to build on their improved finish to the opening period. Norway believed they had retaken the lead when Torbjorn Heggem headed home from a corner, only for the goal to be overturned by VAR after Erling Haaland was adjudged to have pushed Elliot Anderson in the build-up. England were reduced to occasional threats through substitutes Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, while both sides visibly wilted in the Miami heat.
Extra time brought further twists. England appeared to have won a clear penalty when Djed Spence went down inside the box, only for the award to be overturned after a lengthy review concluded Spence had initiated the contact. Moments later, Bellingham delivered the decisive blow, reacting quickest to convert the rebound after substitute Morgan Rogers’s fierce strike was parried by Nyland. It was his second goal of the night and sixth of the tournament without a penalty, matching Gary Lineker’s record of six non-penalty goals for England in a single major tournament, set at the 1986 World Cup.
Norway withdrew a tiring Haaland shortly afterwards, his remarkable run of scoring in every competitive appearance for his country ending at 14 matches, as the Scandinavians pushed desperately for a late equaliser. John Stones and Pickford were called upon for repeated last-ditch interventions, but England held their nerve to seal their passage into the last four.
The statistics underline just how historic an evening it was. Bellingham became the first player to score two or more goals in consecutive World Cup knockout stage games since Diego Maradona in 1986, and the youngest to do so at 23 years and 12 days since Pele in 1958. His seven World Cup goals in total place him level with Pele and behind only Mbappe among players aged 23 or younger in the competition’s history. Through Bellingham’s six and Kane’s five, England also became the first side to have two different players score five or more goals in the same major tournament.
Pickford made his 18th World Cup appearance, overtaking Peter Shilton as England’s record appearance maker at the tournament, while Kane’s 120th cap drew him level with Wayne Rooney as the outfield player with the most England appearances, behind only Shilton on 125.
Tuchel is now only the second England manager to go unbeaten in his first six World Cup games, after Alf Ramsey in 1966. England will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals in Atlanta.
