Bellingham's brace rescues England to send Three Lions into World Cup semi-finals

Jude Bellingham delivered another defining performance to send England into the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, scoring twice at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday as Thomas Tuchel’s side edged Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals. The Real Madrid midfielder has now scored six goals in six games at the tournament.

England were rocked early when Andreas Schjelderup converted a cross to put Norway ahead, leaving Tuchel’s side chasing the game. Bellingham responded on the stroke of half-time, receiving the ball from Anthony Gordon inside the box, holding off the Norwegian defence with a combination of footwork and physicality, and slotting past Orjan Nyland to level at 1-1.

With the match still deadlocked at 90 minutes and extra time looming, Bellingham settled the tie with a poacher’s finish. Morgan Rogers tested Nyland from distance, and the goalkeeper could only parry the shot back into the centre of his own box. Bellingham reacted quickest to convert from point-blank range and send England through.

Former England defender Gary Neville was effusive in his praise after the final whistle, stating he had “never seen any player” perform like Bellingham at a World Cup. Neville drew comparisons with Paul Gascoigne, Michael Owen, and Wayne Rooney, arguing that none of those generational talents were ever able to “rip up” a World Cup in the manner the 23-year-old has managed in the United States.

Bellingham’s impact on this tournament has been extraordinary. Six goals in six appearances places him among the elite individual performers in World Cup history, and his ability to influence matches in both halves of the pitch has made him England’s indispensable figure throughout the competition.

England will now advance to the semi-finals, where they will look to Bellingham once again as the nation’s hopes of a first World Cup triumph since 1966 remain very much alive.