Jude Bellingham scored twice — a classy equaliser before half-time and a poacher’s extra-time winner — to send England past Norway 2-1 and into the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, where they will face Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta
BELLINGHAM DOES IT AGAIN
England are World Cup semi-finalists — again — and once again, they have one man to thank.
Jude Bellingham delivered another masterclass at the 2026 World Cup, rescuing England from the brink with two very different but equally vital goals in a breathless 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway that books the Three Lions a place in the last four for only the fourth time in their history.
Norway struck first when Andreas Schjelderup’s speculative shot from the left wing cannoned off the post and into the net after 36 minutes, leaving a jittery Jordan Pickford with no chance. England looked rattled — and might have unravelled entirely — until Bellingham conjured magic in stoppage time. Anthony Gordon picked him out on the edge of the box, the Real Madrid man took one sublime touch and drilled a bullet past Ørjan Nyland to level just when England needed it most.
The second half was nervy. Norway dominated large spells, thought they had retaken the lead through Torbjørn Heggem only to be denied by VAR — Haaland had fouled Elliot Anderson before the corner. Declan Rice, clearly ill, had already been hauled off at half-time after a flat, unrecognisable 45 minutes. Extra time beckoned.
Then Morgan Rogers had the audacity to shoot from distance. Nyland fumbled it grotesquely. Bellingham pounced. England 2-1 Norway. Game over.
Player Ratings
Jordan Pickford — 6: Nervy throughout. Slightly unfortunate for the goal but did little to inspire confidence with his distribution.
Ezri Konsa — 7: Solid after a slow start. Made a crucial intervention to deny Norway a tap-in after they struck the bar.
John Stones — 6.5: Mixed. A slack first-half backpass caused problems but produced two vital interventions to stop Sørloth releasing Haaland on the counter.
Marc Guéhi — 7: Kept Haaland remarkably quiet. A huge block to deny Antonio Nusa in extra time was the standout moment of his performance.
Nico O’Reilly — 6.5: Not his best going forward but defensively diligent against a physically demanding challenge. Left the pitch feeling his hamstring.
Declan Rice — 5: Clearly carrying illness. Flat, out of sorts, and rightly substituted at half-time. England immediately missed his presence when he departed — which tells you everything.
Elliot Anderson — 7: Led the team with nine ball recoveries — three times more than any other England player. Energetic and willing but overrun when Norway dominated the second half.
Jude Bellingham — 9: The tournament’s defining player. Two completely different goals — one of technique, one of instinct — plus eight duels won, the most of any England player. He is carrying this team.
Noni Madueke — 5: Wasted opportunity after opportunity on the right. Failed to deliver at World Cup level and was substituted at half-time. Looks a squad player, not a starter.
Harry Kane — 5: His worst display of the tournament by some distance. No shots in open play across 90 minutes. Dispossessed for the Norway goal. Barely involved. England need their captain back.
Anthony Gordon — 7.5: England’s second-best attacker on the night. Constantly drove at Norway down the left, won more dribbles than anyone, and delivered the assist for Bellingham’s equaliser. Deservedly took his third tournament assist.
Substitutes
Eberechi Eze — 6: A couple of neat touches but limited overall impact. On during Norway’s strongest spell.
Bukayo Saka — 7.5: Looked dangerous every time he received the ball. A brilliant dribbling run late in extra time nearly produced a goal. Must start in the semi-final.
Reece James — 6.5: Brought stability when England’s midfield was being overrun. Reverted naturally to right-back and snuffed out the dangerous Nusa effectively.
Djed Spence — 6.5: Injected pace and energy when England were tiring badly. Unlucky to see a penalty claim overturned by VAR.
Morgan Rogers — 7: The audacity of that shot. It may have looked speculative, but it produced the defining moment of the match. Pressed well and unsettled Norway’s defenders from the moment he arrived.
Dan Burn — N/A: Ten minutes. Two touches. An immovable wall. Norway’s attackers presumably reconsidered their life choices.
England face Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta next Wednesday. On this evidence, they will need Bellingham to be Bellingham again — and Kane to finally remember who he is.
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