Jude Bellingham's Brilliance Sends England to World Cup Semifinals

Kuwait City, Kuwait Jul 13, 2026 ALN: Jude Bellingham was England’s hero once more by scoring twice as the Three Lions came from behind to end Norway’s historic run and reach the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 win after extra time on Saturday.

In their first-ever quarterfinal, Andreas Schjelderup fired Norway into a shock lead in the searing Miami heat. However, Bellingham, who also netted a double in a memorable 3-2 victory over Mexico in the last 16, produced a moment of magic to equalize just before half-time. Norway had a second goal controversially disallowed after a VAR review in the second half for a foul by Erling Haaland as both sets of players were pushed to their physical limits by going to extra time.

Bellingham came up with another big moment as he pounced on an error by Orjan Nyland to sweep in his sixth goal of the tournament for the winner. England will face Argentina or Switzerland on Wednesday for the chance to reach a first World Cup final in 60 years.

“We are in the last four. It’s amazing but not happy with the performance, in every sense,” said England boss Thomas Tuchel. “We made life difficult for ourselves in the way we played — sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough, not repetitive enough. We were lucky today.”

Haaland’s spectacular run of scoring in his last 14 competitive matches for Norway came to an end against the land of his birth, with Norway’s exhausted talisman replaced at half-time of extra time. Having failed to win a World Cup knockout game after conceding first since the final of 1966 before this tournament, England have now done so twice in three matches.

Energy-Sapping Heat

The 5:00 pm local time (2100 GMT) kick-off in Florida meant that temperatures remained above 30 degrees Celsius throughout, with intense humidity making for draining conditions for the players. Such weather conditions have been a topic of discussion in international tournaments, as they can significantly impact player performance and overall match dynamics.

The heat looked like it would spoil the spectacle as the first quarter was played at a walking pace. However, it sparked into life after Schjelderup’s effort flew over Jordan Pickford into the top corner. Norway suddenly had Tuchel’s men rattled and were left to regret not doubling their lead. This moment highlighted the unpredictable nature of knockout football, where a single moment can change the course of a match.

Pickford saved low from Martin Odegaard before Alexander Sorloth wasted a glorious chance when he failed to feed Haaland and instead went for goal himself. Such missed opportunities can haunt teams in high-stakes matches, as they often prove pivotal in determining the outcome.

Almost immediately, Bellingham pulled his team out of the mire once more. Bellingham had been well marshalled until he collected Anthony Gordon’s pass, burst into the box at speed, and then slotted home on his weaker left foot. This goal not only showcased Bellingham's skill but also his ability to rise to the occasion when his team needed him most.

Momentum was suddenly in England’s favour, and they nearly went into the break ahead. Bellingham was this time the creator for Kane, who dinked the ball coolly over Nyland but had just drifted offside. This moment underscored the razor-thin margins in elite football, where a fraction of a second can determine whether a goal stands or is ruled out.

Tuchel introduced Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze at the break for the ineffective Noni Madueke and Declan Rice — the Arsenal midfielder had been suffering with illness earlier in the week. These tactical changes aimed to inject fresh energy into the squad and adapt to the flow of the match, a common strategy employed by coaches in high-pressure situations.

However, those changes left England light in midfield, and they were left hanging on at spells in the second half. Torbjorn Heggem made the most of some sloppy defending to turn in at the back post, but Haaland was penalized for a push on new Manchester City teammate Elliott Anderson before the corner had been taken, and the goal was disallowed. Such incidents not only add drama to the match but also highlight the importance of discipline and awareness in defensive situations.

Norway were inches away from a winner again when Kristoffer Ajer hit the bar after England failed to deal with another dangerous corner. The tension in the stadium was palpable as both sets of fans held their breath, knowing that a single goal could change the trajectory of the match.

Both sides visibly wilted in the energy-sapping conditions late on but were forced to endure an extra 30 minutes. This added time can often be a test of endurance and mental fortitude, as players must push through fatigue and maintain focus in critical moments.

Nyland had been Norway’s supporting act in the last 16 win over Brazil with a series of saves before Haaland struck twice late on for a landmark victory. This time, however, the Sevilla goalkeeper was the villain as he spilled substitute Morgan Rogers’ shot from distance, and Bellingham pounced and scored. England were awarded a penalty moments later, but this time VAR intervened in Norway’s favour to deem Djed Spence had initiated contact inside the box. Yet, Norway’s spirit was already crushed, epitomized by a slouched Haaland watching on from the bench with nothing more to give.

This match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of knockout tournaments, where the stakes are high, and emotions run deep. England's victory not only propels them into the semifinals but also reignites hopes of securing a World Cup title for the first time since 1966. As they prepare to face either Argentina or Switzerland, the Three Lions will need to address the inconsistencies in their performance while harnessing the momentum generated by Bellingham’s brilliance. The implications of this match extend beyond just the immediate victory; it sets the stage for what could be a historic run for England in this tournament.