Bellingham Double Fires England Past Norway Into World Cup Semi-finals

By Charles Maduka

Jude Bellingham scored twice as England came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 after extra time and book their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

England will now face defending champions Argentina in Atlanta after another dramatic comeback inspired by Bellingham.

The match started slowly, with Harry Kane producing the first attempt in the 29th minute when he sent a free-kick over the crossbar. Norway almost took advantage of a mistake moments earlier after John Stones misplaced a pass, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford reacted quickly to stop Erling Haaland from getting a clear chance.

Norway eventually broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Andreas Schjelderup cut inside from the left and appeared to be aiming a cross towards Haaland, but the ball struck the inside of the far post and found its way into the net to give Norway the lead.

England responded just before half-time through Bellingham. The midfielder escaped his marker before placing a low shot into the bottom corner in stoppage time to level the score at 1-1.

Kane thought he had completed the comeback moments later after lifting the ball over goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, but the goal was ruled out for offside after Bellingham’s pass.

Norway started the second half strongly and almost regained the lead. Pickford pushed away Haaland’s header before Patrick Berg forced another save from the resulting corner. Torbjorn Heggem then scored from the rebound, but VAR ruled the goal out after deciding Haaland had fouled Elliot Anderson before the corner was taken. The referee ordered the corner to be retaken instead.

The Norwegians continued to threaten from set-pieces, with Kristoffer Ajer heading onto the crossbar after Fredrik Aursnes had kept another attack alive.

With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, the game went into extra time.

England made the perfect start to the additional period. Morgan Rogers’ powerful effort was spilled by Nyland, and Bellingham reacted quickest to score the rebound in the 93rd minute and complete England’s comeback.

England were later awarded a penalty, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review. Norway coach Stale Solbakken also made the surprising decision to substitute Erling Haaland during extra time despite his side chasing the game.

England continued to create chances, with Nyland denying Djed Spence and Bukayo Saka late on, but Bellingham’s second goal was enough to secure victory.

The match was a slow affair in the opening stages, with the first shot arriving only in the 29th minute, the longest wait for an opening attempt in any match at the 2026 World Cup.

Schjelderup’s goal continued his impressive tournament. Among players aged 22 and under, only Johan Manzambi has been involved in more goals at this World Cup. Manzambi has five goal involvements, while Schjelderup has four, with one goal and three assists.

Bellingham once again proved to be England’s match winner. His six non-penalty goals at this World Cup equal Gary Lineker’s record for the most non-penalty goals by an England player in a single tournament, set at the 1986 World Cup.

The Real Madrid midfielder also moved to 12 goal involvements for England at major tournaments, with nine goals and three assists. Only Harry Kane, with 25, and David Beckham, with 14, have contributed to more goals for the Three Lions.

Bellingham also became the first player to score two or more goals in consecutive World Cup knockout matches since Diego Maradona achieved the feat in 1986. At 23 years and 12 days old, he is the youngest player to do so since Pelé accomplished it at the age of 17 during the 1958 World Cup.

Although England struggled for long periods and managed only two shots on target in normal time, both coming before the break, they still found a way to win. Their expected goals (xG) in the second half of normal time was just 0.09.

England also achieved another significant milestone by becoming the first team to stop Erling Haaland from scoring in a competitive international match since Austria did so in October 2024, ending a run of 636 days.

The victory also marked personal milestones for two England stars. Jordan Pickford made his 18th World Cup appearance, the most by any England player, while Harry Kane earned his 120th international cap, moving level with Wayne Rooney as England’s second-most capped player behind Peter Shilton’s 125 appearances.

England will now take on Argentina in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final as they continue their bid to win the trophy.