Bellingham brace drags England from behind to reach World Cup semi-finals against Norway

Jude Bellingham struck twice to fire Thomas Tuchel’s England into the World Cup semi-finals, overcoming a stubborn Norway side 2-1 after extra time. The Real Madrid midfielder equalised on the stroke of half-time before settling the tie early in the additional period, securing a last-four berth for the Three Lions.

England dominated possession but were punished for their profligacy when Andreas Schjelderup broke the deadlock after 36 minutes. The Norwegian winger picked up the ball on the left and delivered a cross that wrong-footed Jordan Pickford, sailing over the goalkeeper’s head into the top corner.

Bellingham dragged his side level just before the break, collecting from Anthony Gordon on the edge of the area, driving past two defenders, and striking left-footed across the goalkeeper into the bottom corner. Kane was denied a goal moments later when he dinked the goalkeeper after being played through by Bellingham, only for the offside flag to cut short the celebration.

Norway came close to retaking the lead early in the second half when Pickford parried a Sorloth header from a corner into the path of Torbjorn Heggem, but VAR disallowed the finish for a foul by Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson at the corner. Kristoffer Ajer then headed against the crossbar from another set piece as Norway continued to threaten.

Neither side could force a winner inside 90 minutes, but Bellingham delivered again in extra time. Substitute Morgan Rogers fired a long-range shot that Orjan Nyland could only parry, and Bellingham was quickest to react, sweeping home the rebound from close range.

England were denied a penalty late in extra time when VAR overturned an on-field decision after Oscar Bobb’s challenge on Djed Spence was reviewed and deemed insufficient, but it mattered little as the result stood.

England will now await the winner of Argentina’s clash with Switzerland, with the victors set to face the Three Lions in Atlanta on Wednesday.