Jude Bellingham fires England past Norway 2-1 in extra time to reach World Cup semi-finals

England are one step closer to a first World Cup title since 1966 after a 2-1 extra-time victory over tournament surprise Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami. Jude Bellingham was the architect of the win, scoring both goals, but the match was not without drama and dispute.

Cable controversy before the break

Norway took the lead in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup unleashed a fierce left-footed strike into the top corner, a goal reminiscent of Giovanni van Bronckhorst's famous effort at the 2010 World Cup. England protested a foul on Harry Kane in the build-up, but the goal stood. Norway then pressed for a second, with Alexander Sørloth failing to find Erling Haaland after a swift counter.

England equalised deep in first-half stoppage time, but the goal was mired in controversy. A goal kick from Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland struck a cable of the suspended skycam above the pitch, altering the ball's path. England gained possession from the deflection, and Anthony Gordon set up Bellingham, who slid the ball into the far corner. Norwegian staff protested immediately. FIFA stated that the chip inside the ball had registered no signal of a deflection, according to a journalist from The Times who contacted the governing body.

Bellingham decides it in extra time

The second half saw Norway as the better side. Torbjørn Heggem had a goal disallowed after the VAR spotted a push by Haaland on John Stones. England introduced Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze at half-time, with a flu-stricken Declan Rice among those substituted, but the deadlock remained. A potential penalty for a foul on Djed Spence was overturned after referee Clément Turpin reviewed the monitor.

The match became the first quarter-final at this World Cup to go to extra time. Early in the first added period, a long-range effort from Morgan Rogers was spilled by Nyland, and Bellingham pounced to score the decisive goal. Erling Haaland, who had an off-day and appeared exhausted in the Miami heat, was substituted before the final period and could not continue. A later penalty appeal for Norway was also annulled.

Halting the Haaland threat

Both Harry Kane and Erling Haaland entered the match as top scorers for the tournament, with seven and six goals respectively, but neither found the net. Haaland was largely contained by his Manchester City teammates John Stones and Marc Guehi, managing only a couple of dangerous headers before fading physically.

Haaland had a really tough time. The Norwegian striker, who had already complained of exhaustion earlier this tournament, was trudging and puffing. Every step seemed to cost him effort.

Kane had the ball in the net before half-time with a delicate chip, but it was ruled out for offside. Without their talisman, Norway lacked the firepower to respond after Bellingham's second goal.

Semi-final awaits

England will play their semi-final on 15 July against either Argentina or Switzerland, whose quarter-final kicked off later that night at 3:00 AM Dutch time. The venue is Dallas. Manager Thomas Tuchel, who has forged a calmer and more balanced England side than the one that reached the European Championship final two years ago, now stands two wins away from ending a 60-year wait for the trophy.

'Hey Jude,' sang the English supporters for Jude Bellingham, in every respect the big man for England with another two goals.