England booked their place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in an enthralling quarter-final on Saturday.
Jude Bellingham once again proved to be England’s hero, scoring twice as the Three Lions came from behind to overcome a resilient Norwegian side and keep their hopes of lifting the World Cup alive.
Norway struck first in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup found the back of the net, giving the Scandinavians a deserved lead after a bright opening spell. However, England responded just before half-time, with Bellingham producing a composed finish to level the scores and shift the momentum in his team’s favour.
The second half was fiercely contested, with both sides creating chances but failing to find a breakthrough. England saw opportunities come and go, while Norway continued to threaten through Erling Haaland and their quick counter-attacks. Solid defending and crucial saves ensured the match remained deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Just three minutes into extra time, Bellingham capitalised on a goalkeeping error following an initial save to score his second of the evening, putting England ahead for the first time. Norway pressed relentlessly for an equaliser, but England’s defence stood firm to secure a memorable victory.
The result sends England into the World Cup semi-finals, where they will face Argentina in another blockbuster encounter. Manager Thomas Tuchel praised his team’s determination and resilience, while acknowledging that there is still room for improvement ahead of the last-four clash.
Despite the defeat, Norway earned widespread praise for an impressive tournament campaign. Led by Haaland and captain Martin Ødegaard, the Norwegians exceeded expectations and demonstrated they are emerging as one of Europe’s strongest footballing nations.
England will now turn their attention to the semi-final as they continue their quest to win a second FIFA World Cup title.