In a thrilling encounter, England triumphed over Norway 2-1 after extra time, securing their place in the World Cup semi-finals. Jude Bellingham was the standout performer, scoring both goals for the Three Lions, who will now face either Argentina or Switzerland in the last four.

Match Overview

Played under sweltering conditions in Florida, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius and feeling close to 40 due to humidity, the match began slowly. England controlled possession but struggled to create significant chances before the first hydration break. Despite an animated talk from manager Thomas Tuchel, England could not capitalize early on.

Norway took the lead in the 36th minute when Jordan Pickford misjudged a cross-shot from Andreas Schjelderup, allowing the ball to find the net off the far post. England's Harry Kane had previously appealed for a foul in the build-up, but the referee did not respond, giving Norway a boost in confidence as they pressed forward.

Bellingham's Brilliance

However, Bellingham responded just before halftime, leveling the score with a powerful strike. His performance continued to shine throughout the match, and he ultimately sealed England's victory with a second goal, taking advantage of an error from Norway's goalkeeper, Orjan Nyland. This marked Bellingham's sixth goal of the tournament, underscoring his importance to the team.

Despite a challenging second half, where Norway had a goal disallowed and hit the crossbar, England held on to secure their spot in the semi-finals. With this victory, they remain on track to pursue their second World Cup title.