England advanced to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2018 after Jude Bellingham struck twice to secure a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami. The Real Madrid midfielder proved the decisive figure yet again, though his heroics could not prevent a public disagreement with head coach Thomas Tuchel over the quality of the team’s performance.
Bellingham levelled the match shortly before half-time after Andreas Schjelderup had put Norway ahead, though the equaliser proved controversial. Replays suggested the ball had struck an overhead cable during the build-up, yet Fifa stated that sensor data showed no evidence of contact. Norway manager Ståle Solbakken maintained it was “pretty clear” the cable had been hit.
The winner arrived three minutes into the first period of extra time when Bellingham capitalised on a costly error by Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Håskjold Nyland to register his sixth goal of the tournament. The strike proved enough to separate the sides, though England were forced to withstand significant pressure during the closing stages.
Tuchel criticism sparks Bellingham rebuttal
Despite the result, Tuchel delivered a scathing assessment of his side’s display. “The result is fantastic, we are in the last four – it’s amazing – but I’m not happy with the performance,” he told ITV. “In every sense. Again the commitment is there but we made life very very difficult for ourselves in the way we played, how we played: sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough, not repetitive enough. We were lucky today.”
Bellingham, however, rejected the notion that England had been fortunate. Asked to respond to his manager’s comments, he replied: “Yeah, well, whatever. Whatever.” He added: “It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. All the players have put in a tough shift, so my thoughts and appreciation goes to the players who were out there and put in a great shift yet again.” When pressed on whether he agreed with the assessment that England were lucky, he responded: “No comment.”
Tuchel later defended his remarks, insisting there was “no disconnect” with the squad. “I’m impressed with the shift they put in and to overcome adversity,” he said. “They cannot get enough praise for that. But I’m also a football coach and we can play better.”
Captain Harry Kane offered a more conciliatory interpretation, suggesting the criticism could serve as motivation. “He just said in the changing room: massive congratulations and we should enjoy it and celebrate but it still feels like there’s a part of him that knows we can do better, which in a way is a good thing,” Kane explained. “If we are in the semi-final of a World Cup knowing we can still improve, still find another level, then we’ve got to take that as a positive.”
Defensive resilience after Rice withdrawal
England’s progression owed much to a reshaped defence that stood firm after Declan Rice was forced off at half-time through illness. The withdrawal disrupted Tuchel’s midfield structure and handed Norway’s Martin Ødegaard greater influence, yet the backline held firm.
Marc Guéhi engaged in a titanic physical battle with Manchester City clubmate Erling Haaland, restricting the striker to just 21 touches and a pass completion rate of 38% before the Norwegian sustained a dead leg and was substituted during extra time. “It was not a tough decision because he was finished,” Solbakken admitted. “Maybe I should have taken him off 10 minutes before.”
John Stones, making his first start since the tournament opener, produced a series of crucial interventions including six headed clearances, while substitute Djed Spence made what local observers dubbed the “Miracle of Djed Spence” with an exceptional late display that should have earned a penalty after a challenge by Oscar Bobb.
Elliot Anderson dominated central midfield during regular time and was instrumental in creating Bellingham’s opener, though goalkeeper Jordan Pickford endured a skittish afternoon and was arguably at fault for Schjelderup’s goal.
England now await their semi-final opponents as they seek to reach a first men’s World Cup final on foreign soil.