Jude Bellingham fired England into the World Cup semi-finals with a decisive brace in a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami Gardens. The Real Madrid midfielder took his tournament tally to six goals, drawing him level with captain Harry Kane in the Golden Boot race, as Thomas Tuchel’s side survived gruelling 33°C heat and 65% humidity to advance.
Match Unfolds in Extreme Heat
Norway, appearing in their first-ever World Cup quarter-final, adapted better to the oppressive conditions and took the lead when Andreas Schjelderup’s left-wing cross drifted over Jordan Pickford into the far top corner. England laboured in the heavy air but equalised nine minutes before half-time when Bellingham received the ball via Elliot Anderson, surged past Torbjørn Heggem and finished clinically.
The second half of regulation time belonged to the Scandinavians. They struck the crossbar and thought they had retaken the lead early after the break when Heggem finished from close range, only for the goal to be disallowed after Erling Haaland was penalised for a foul in the build-up. Haaland, who failed to register for the first time in the tournament, headed straight at Pickford and saw another chance go begging when Alexander Sørloth opted against playing him through. Television replays later examined whether the ball had struck an overhead cable during the build-up to England’s equaliser, but FIFA confirmed it had not.
Extra-Time Decider
The winner arrived three minutes into the additional period. Substitute Morgan Rogers forced a long-range save from former RB Leipzig goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, who spilled the effort directly into the path of Bellingham for a simple finish. Haaland was withdrawn after the first period of extra time as Norway chased an equaliser, but England held firm to see out the 120 minutes.
England were without Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah through suspension, with John Stones recalled to partner Marc Guéhi in central defence. Norway welcomed back Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson from injury, while Schjelderup retained his place ahead of RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa. Both sides are led by former Bundesliga coaches; Tuchel managed Mainz, Dortmund and Bayern, while Ståle Solbakken had a spell at Köln.
Road Ahead
The 1966 champions will face either Argentina or Switzerland in Wednesday’s semi-final, marking their second appearance in the last four in three World Cup editions. Tuchel remains on course to become the first foreign coach to win the tournament, while Bellingham’s six-goal haul keeps him firmly in contention for the Golden Boot and player of the tournament honours.