​MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The crowd at Miami Stadium roared as the music of the night played out in real life. “Hey Jude,” the Beatles classic that has long been a staple of England’s football culture, seemed to echo through the stands as England’s Jude Bellingham delivered a performance for the ages. The England midfielder struck twice, powering his team to a 2-1 victory over Norway in extra time and sending England into the World Cup semifinals.
Bellingham, who has been the subject of enthusiastic chants from England supporters whenever he touches the ball, notched two goals in this decisive knockout clash. His brace in the extra period followed a tense, action-packed 90 minutes that had the stadium buzzing from the opening whistle. With this win, England advanced to the World Cup semifinals for just the third time in the country’s history, a milestone that adds a notable chapter to their tournament journey this year. They will await the winner of the Argentina-Switzerland match, which was slated for late Saturday night, to determine their opponent in the next round.
The venue appeared nearly at full capacity, consistent with the energy that has surrounded England’s World Cup matches at Miami Stadium. A large portion of the attendance consisted of England supporters, who decorated the interior walls with flags bearing the crests and names of their respective clubs, turning the arena into a sea of white, red, and blue.
England began with the initiative, enjoying early possession and pressing high. They created several promising chances as they dictated the tempo, while Norway opted for a more cautious approach, looking to counter on the break. The breakthrough moment for Norway came in the 36th minute when Erling Haaland teased danger, and Andreas Schjelderup delivered a precise shot that beat Jordan Pickford, slammed off the post, and into the net for the opening goal.
Norway continued to press after taking the lead, threatening England’s defense with several attempts. England, however, managed to level the score in stoppage time of the first half. A sequence started with Elliot Anderson charging upfield and threading a pass to Anthony Gordon. Gordon delivered a well-placed ball to Bellingham at the top of the box, and the Real Madrid midfielder weaved through two defenders before finishing with composure to level the score and set the stage for the late drama.
The goal was caught on a controversial replay that showed the ball appearing to touch a camera cable on a Norwegian goal kick by Orjan Nyland, a moment that briefly influenced the ball’s trajectory and possession before the tying tally. Norway appeared briefly to retake the lead when Torbjørn Heggem, a Bologna defender, converted a header from a corner, but the strike was nullified upon review due to a foul by Haaland, preserving the contest’s balance heading into extra time.
The second half of regulation continued with both teams creating chances, but neither could break the deadlock. The match headed to extra time, where the momentum swung decisively in England’s favor. Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers unleashed a long-range effort that Nyland parried, though the rebound fell kindly for Bellingham. He seized the opportunity and slotted the game-winner, his second of the night, sealing England’s advancement to the next round and adding another memorable performance to his burgeoning international resume.
As England moves forward, their semifinal berth stands as a testament to a team that has grown in this tournament, showcasing a blend of youth and experience. The victory also extends the hopeful narrative for England’s fans, who have traveled in large numbers to support their side and have seen the squad rise to the occasion time and again this year. With the Argentina-Switzerland winner to come, England will prepare to face a formidable opponent in the next stage, aiming to push further in what has already proven to be a thrilling World Cup journey.