Bellingham fires England into World Cup semi-finals with extra-time double against Norway

Jude Bellingham struck twice – including a dramatic extra-time winner – as England came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 in Miami and reach the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

The 21-year-old midfielder cancelled out Andreas Schjelderup’s opener in first-half stoppage time and then pounced again three minutes into extra time to send England into the last four, where they will face defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on 15 July.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were far from convincing in a tense, attritional quarter-final that swung on fatigue, contentious VAR calls and a decisive defensive error by Norway. But Bellingham’s ruthless finishing, taking his tally to six goals at this tournament, ensured England progressed to their fourth World Cup semi-final.

Norway strike first as England struggle for control

On a humid night in Miami on 11 July, England laboured to find their rhythm and were punished in the 36th minute.

Norway capitalised on hesitant defending when England failed to clear their lines, allowing Schjelderup to seize on the uncertainty and put Stale Solbakken’s team in front during a period when Tuchel’s side were visibly unsettled.

Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard repeatedly gave England problems between the lines, with Norway’s attacking pair forming a dangerous axis even if Haaland’s direct sights of goal were largely restricted.

Norway thought they had doubled their lead in the second half, only for VAR to rule out a goal for a foul by Haaland in the build-up – a decision that sparked angry protests from the Norwegian players and staff.

Bellingham turns the tie before and during extra time

Just as Norway looked set to take their advantage into the interval, Bellingham produced a pivotal equaliser in the second minute of first-half added time. His goal shifted the momentum of the contest, stopping Norway from dictating the game from a position of control.

The second half remained finely balanced. England struggled to impose sustained authority, while Norway continued to threaten on transitions. Harry Kane was often isolated, and England’s wide players found it difficult to escape Norway’s disciplined defensive shape.

With the match locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, extra time was required. In the 93rd minute, Norway’s back line hesitated inside their own penalty area, and Bellingham reacted first to the loose ball. He finished clinically before the defence could recover, completing the turnaround and recording his second successive brace in the knockout stages.

His six goals at this tournament – all from open play and none from the penalty spot – place him alongside England’s most prolific World Cup performers and underline his status as the central figure in this campaign.

England dig in as Norway rage at refereeing calls

Norway pushed forward in search of another equaliser during extra time, but England’s defensive structure stiffened as the clock ticked down. Jordan Pickford made several crucial interventions, while the back line narrowed the space in central areas to limit clear-cut chances.

Norway’s frustration with the officials grew as the game wore on. In addition to the disallowed goal following the VAR review of Haaland’s foul, they were angered by a late free-kick awarded to England after a collision between England players. Defender Kristoffer Ajer’s protests earned him a yellow card as Norway’s appeals were waved away.

Despite the complaints, the decisions stood and Norway were unable to find a way past an increasingly compact England side, who protected their slender lead until the final whistle.

Tuchel criticises errors as Bellingham defends team effort

After the match, Tuchel admitted England had leaned heavily on individual brilliance.

He described the performance as riddled with mistakes and acknowledged that the team had again required decisive moments rather than sustained control to progress – a pattern seen in their 2-1 win over DR Congo in the last 32 and 3-2 victory over Mexico in the last 16.

Bellingham, however, defended his team-mates and stressed the difficulty of navigating a World Cup quarter-final under intense physical and emotional pressure. His display was all the more significant given that several of England’s attackers struggled to impose themselves, with Kane starved of service and the wingers often blunted by Norway’s structure.

Repeatedly driving into advanced positions from midfield, Bellingham took responsibility in the decisive zones around the penalty area, compensating for England’s lack of fluency in the final third.

Argentina looming as England’s greatest test

England’s run to the last four – with a goal conceded in every knockout match and frequent reliance on late or individual interventions – has highlighted both their resilience and their vulnerabilities.

They now join France, Spain and Argentina in the semi-finals, seeking a first World Cup final appearance since 1966, following last-four exits in 1966, 1990 and 2018.

Argentina, who beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in their quarter-final, represent a significant step up in quality. As reigning champions, they possess experienced forwards, a robust midfield and a proven capacity to manage high-pressure knockout games.

Tuchel’s immediate priorities will be England’s physical recovery after 120 gruelling minutes in Miami’s heat and an improvement in defensive organisation. He must also find a way to bring Kane into more dangerous positions and decide whether to persist with his current wide options or introduce more pace and creativity.

The midfield battle in Atlanta will again revolve around Bellingham’s dual role: supporting England’s attack while ensuring there is enough protection to prevent Argentina exploiting space on the break.

England have reached the semi-finals through determination, clinical finishing and Bellingham’s exceptional influence. The next test will show whether those qualities are sufficient to carry them all the way to the 2026 World Cup final.