FIFA 2026: Jude Bellingham Strikes As England Reach Semi-final

 

Norway have been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing 2-1 to England in a comeback, with Jude Bellingham scoring a brace to lead the team to the semifinal. 

England have reached the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup on four occasions, as they strive to end the trophy drought. The Three Lions won the golden trophy in 1966 and have since remained winless. Norway have not won the trophy once, nor have they reached the quarterfinals until this tournament. 

England were shoved to the back foot when Norway took the lead from Andreas Scjelderup's strike. Martin Odegaard stole the ball off Harry Kane and slid a pass to Scjelderup, who volleyed the ball into a difficult angle on the right post. Bellingham equalised on the brink of halftime, dribbling past three defenders before steering a shot into the left angle of the post. 

The game progressed to extra time before England scored the winner. Bellingham doubled his goal tally when Morgan Rogers' 20-yard shot was poorly saved by Nyland, and he reacted quickly to tap in the loose ball. 

England are set to face Argentina in the Last Four. They reached the last four of the last edition of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Their last semi-final appearance was in 2018 in Russia, losing to Croatia. 

Overview 

Technically, it was a tough match for both sides. Norway maintained good composure, despite taking the lead early in the first half. They were capable of an upset, and England's equaliser canceled it out. The Three Lions made a stunning comeback. Unlike England, Belligham's equaliser came off Norway's defensive flaw.  The margin could have been wider, but both sides had a goal canceled for offside 

Tomas Tuchel's decision to bolster his defense with fresh legs before extra time paid off. England withstood Norway's resilience throughout the extra time. Belligham was the standout player on the frontline. Anthony Gordon played a significant role in the offense and was involved in the buildup to the winner. They seized the moment that Norway played the open defense, and the counter was effectively orchestrated by Anderson's through pass. 

Chances and Defense

Norway committed four players to the box on every occasion, and Erling Haaland's header was the side's first shot on target. Sorloth had a chance to double the lead following a counter, but delayed attempting a shot, allowing England to take cover. 

Bukayo Saka's cutback was the closest England came to doubling the goal tally before stoppage time, but Eberechi Eze arrived late for a tap-in, allowing the ball to be cleared. Earlier, Norway almost seized a set piece to take the lead, as Ajer's header beat Pickford's hand and clipped the crossbar.