Bellingham Double Sends England Into World Cup Semifinals After Extra-Time Win Over Norway

Dragon Media News Desk

Jude Bellingham scored twice as England defeated Norway 2–1 after extra time to secure a place in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The closely contested quarterfinal at Miami Stadium on Saturday remained level at 1–1 after 90 minutes. Bellingham then struck in the third minute of extra time, reacting quickest to a rebound after Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland had made an initial save. The decisive goal sent England into the last four for the first time since the 2018 World Cup.

Norway had taken the lead in the 36th minute through Andreas Schjelderup. The winger produced a powerful shot that struck the far post before crossing the line, rewarding Norway for its disciplined and increasingly confident performance.

England responded during first-half stoppage time. Bellingham moved into the penalty area and fired through the Norwegian defence to restore parity before the interval. The goal was his fifth of the tournament and gave England renewed momentum after a difficult opening half.

The equaliser was briefly surrounded by controversy after television images appeared to suggest that a Norwegian goal kick may have touched an overhead camera cable during the buildup. Under the rules, play should be stopped if the ball strikes such an object. FIFA later indicated that data from the ball’s internal sensor showed no contact with the cable.

Norway came close to regaining the lead in the 56th minute when Torbjørn Heggem converted a rebound following a corner. However, the goal was disallowed after a video review found that Erling Haaland had committed a foul inside the penalty area.

Haaland, who had scored seven goals during Norway’s campaign, was kept scoreless for the first time in the tournament. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also denied him with an important save from a close-range header.

Neither side found a winner during the remainder of regulation time, forcing the match into an additional 30 minutes. Bellingham delivered the decisive moment shortly after extra time began, scoring his second goal of the match and sixth of the tournament.

The Real Madrid midfielder is now level with England captain Harry Kane on six goals. France’s Kylian Mbappé and Argentina’s Lionel Messi were leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals each, while Haaland’s campaign ended with seven.

Bellingham has emerged as England’s central figure during the knockout rounds. He had also scored twice in the dramatic 3–2 Round-of-16 victory over co-host Mexico, a match England completed with 10 players.

England’s First Semifinal Since 2018

The victory takes England back to the World Cup semifinals for the first time in eight years. England reached the same stage in Russia in 2018 before losing to Croatia, while its 2022 campaign ended in the quarterfinals.

Under head coach Thomas Tuchel, England has shown resilience in successive knockout matches, overcoming difficult periods against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico and Norway.

Norway’s defeat brought an end to a historic campaign. The Scandinavian side had reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time after stunning Brazil 2–1 in the previous round, with Haaland scoring both goals.

Although Norway was eliminated, its performances against Brazil and England demonstrated that the team had developed into one of the tournament’s most competitive sides.

Argentina or Switzerland Await England

England will face the winner of the final quarterfinal between defending champion Argentina and Switzerland. That match was scheduled at Kansas City Stadium, with the winner advancing to meet England in Atlanta on July 15.

The other semifinal has already been confirmed. France will face Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14. France booked its place with a 2–0 victory over Morocco, while Spain defeated Belgium 2–1 in its quarterfinal.

England’s progress means the 1966 champions are now two victories away from winning their second World Cup title. However, the semifinal will provide another severe test, whether the opponent is Lionel Messi’s Argentina or a disciplined and defensively organised Swiss side.