England fought back from a goal down to defeat Norway 2-1 after extra time and book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, where they will face defending champions Argentina.
Norway stunned England in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup found the net after a swift attacking move. However, Jude Bellingham restored parity deep into first-half stoppage time, giving England a timely boost before the break.
The second half saw both teams create chances but fail to find the decisive goal. England dominated possession, while Norway remained dangerous on the counter through Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. Norway also had a goal ruled out after VAR spotted a foul by Haaland in the build-up.
With the match heading into extra time, Bellingham once again rose to the occasion. In the 93rd minute, the midfielder pounced on a rebound after Morgan Rogers’ shot was spilled by goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, firing home the winner to send England into the last four.
Captain Harry Kane praised his team’s fighting spirit after the hard-earned victory.
“The boys had to dig deep,” Kane said, adding that the hot and humid conditions made the contest physically demanding. He also credited Bellingham for producing another match-winning display when England needed him most.
England manager Thomas Tuchel lauded his side’s resilience, saying their ability to recover from difficult situations has defined their World Cup campaign. The Three Lions have now recorded comeback victories in successive knockout matches, underlining their determination to stay in the hunt for the title.
Despite the defeat, Norway won praise for an impressive tournament. Playing in their first World Cup in nearly three decades, they exceeded expectations by reaching the quarter-finals and pushing England all the way.
England will now take on Argentina in a blockbuster semi-final, with a place in the World Cup final at stake. With Bellingham in outstanding form and confidence growing within the squad, the Three Lions will believe they have every chance of ending their long wait for football’s biggest prize.
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