{"id":1922,"date":"2026-07-12T00:09:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T00:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nile1.com\/en\/?p=1922"},"modified":"2026-07-12T13:21:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T13:21:54","slug":"bellingham-brace-propels-england-past-norway-into-world-cup-semi-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nile1.com\/en\/2026\/07\/12\/bellingham-brace-propels-england-past-norway-into-world-cup-semi-finals\/","title":{"rendered":"Bellingham Brace Propels England Past Norway into World Cup Semi-Finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jude Bellingham\u2019s sixth goal of the tournament secured England\u2019s place in the World Cup 2026<\/a> semi-finals, as Thomas Tuchel\u2019s side overcame a resilient Norway 2-1 in Miami. The midfielder struck in the third minute of extra time, capitalizing on a spilled shot from Orjan Nyland to settle a fixture defined by physical play and contentious officiating decisions.<\/p>\n

England\u2019s progression marks only the fourth time the Three Lions have successfully navigated a World Cup quarter-final in 11 attempts. They now prepare for a semi-final clash in Atlanta against either defending champions Argentina or Switzerland.<\/p>\n

The match turned on a controversial VAR intervention shortly after half-time. Torbjorn Heggem appeared to have restored Norway\u2019s lead, but the goal was disallowed following a review of Erling Haaland\u2019s shove on Elliot Anderson. According to FIFA<\/a> protocols regarding physical infringements before restarts, the referee penalized the striker for a push that occurred before the corner was delivered, a point of emphasis under new tournament regulations.<\/p>\n

Former England<\/a> international Lee Dixon, speaking to ITV, described the performance as “dogged,” noting that Jude Bellingham<\/a> “carried them over that line almost single-handedly.”<\/p>\n

Norway had initially taken the lead in the 36th minute through Andreas Schjelderup\u2019s cross-shot. England responded in first-half stoppage time when Bellingham collected an Anthony Gordon pass and found the far corner. Harry Kane saw a potential lead-taker ruled out for offside just before the interval, keeping the scores level until the final stages of the 120-minute contest.<\/p>\n

While Erling Haaland<\/a> entered the match having scored in 14 consecutive competitive outings for Norway, he was substituted at the midpoint of extra time. His absence during the closing 15 minutes coincided with a period of sustained England pressure, during which Orjan Nyland was forced into a double save to deny Bukayo Saka and Djed Spence.<\/p>\n

The fixture also saw Jordan Pickford<\/a> surpass Peter Shilton to become England\u2019s all-time leading appearance maker at the World Cup, earning his 18th cap in the competition.<\/p>\n

\n

Read also:<\/h3>\n