Jude Bellingham double sends England past Norway 2-1 after extra time, into World Cup semi-finals

Match summary: stifling heat and slow start

The Miami heat, recorded at 31°C with high humidity, forced players to take a first-half cooling break unusually early, despite the match's slow pace. For the opening half hour there was barely a shot on goal, with Harry Kane’s off-target free-kick in the 29th minute counted as the first attempt. England dominated possession but looked toothless against Norway’s compact 4-5-1 shape, while the Norwegian supporters made more noise in the stands than their team did on the pitch.

Schjelderup breaks the deadlock

Norway sparked into life after 35 minutes. Erling Haaland headed wide from Martin Ødegaard’s cross, and moments later Andreas Schjelderup cut in from the left and looped a cross-cum-shot that curled over Jordan Pickford, hit the post, and crept over the line. The goal, in the 36th minute, silenced the pro-England crowd and threatened to blow the quarterfinal wide open. Suddenly Norway surged forward, with Ødegaard forcing a save and Alexander Sørloth missing a clear two-on-one counter by ignoring Haaland just before half-time.

Bellingham’s rapid response

England’s equalizer arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. Anthony Gordon found Jude Bellingham just outside the area; the midfielder took a touch, glided past a defender, and drilled the ball low past Ørjan Nyland. It was Bellingham’s fifth goal of the tournament and it came at 45+2, right when England faced the prospect of trailing at the break. Harry Kane thought he had given England the lead moments later with a clever finish, but the linesman flagged him offside in the 45+4 minute.

Extra time and the decisive blow

The second half failed to produce a goal, despite England introducing substitutes and Norway remaining dangerous on the counter. Both sides probed but created few clear chances, and the game went to extra time. Three minutes into the additional period, Bellingham collected the ball on the edge of the box, wriggled free of two Norwegian defenders, and fired a left-footed shot into the far corner for the winner. The 93rd-minute strike was his sixth goal of the World Cup and sealed a 2-1 victory.

Road to the semi-finals

England’s first World Cup semi-final since 2018 will be played on Wednesday 15 July at 19:00 UTC against the winner of the late-night quarterfinal between Argentina and Switzerland. Manager Thomas Tuchel will be hoping Bellingham’s form continues as the tournament reaches its decisive phase. Norway, meanwhile, exit the competition after their first ever quarterfinal appearance, having pushed one of the tournament favourites all the way.