England booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday,
England booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday, with Jude Bellingham’s double clinching the win and sending Thomas Tuchel’s side into the last four for only the third time in England’s history.
Norway, playing in their first World Cup this century, made a bright start to the contest. Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead in the 36th minute, firing a shot that came off the post and in to stun an England side that had dominated possession.
But Bellingham cancelled out the opener with a superb finish in first-half stoppage time after Gordon picked him out inside the box, and the sides went in level at 1-1.
The second half brought controversy at both ends. Norway had a Torbjørn Heggem goal chalked off for a foul by Erling Haaland in the build-up, while England’s hopes of a penalty were also dashed by VAR.
Chances came at both ends as Norway continued to threaten through Haaland and Alexander Sørloth, but neither side could find a breakthrough in normal time, sending the quarter-final into extra time.
England eventually found their moment three minutes into the extra period. Bellingham reacted quickest to a spill from goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, after a long-range effort from substitute Morgan Rogers, to force the ball over the line and complete his second goal of the game — and sixth of the tournament, level with Harry Kane.
Norway pushed for a leveller in the closing stages, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford called into action, but England held firm to secure passage to the semi-finals.
England will face either Argentina in the last four, with the Three Lions edging closer to ending 60 years without a major title.
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