​England required extra time and a moment of individual brilliance from Jude Bellingham to overcome a stubborn Norwegian side at Miami Stadium on Saturday, eventually coming from behind to win 2-1 and secure a place in the World Cup semi-finals. For long stretches, Norway dictated the tempo, controlling possession in dangerous zones and carving out sharper chances as England were forced into a defensive setup for much of the 90 minutes. Erling Haaland was contained remarkably well, tracked closely by Marc Guehi, while Norway’s threat emanated from players and pockets other than their star striker. It demanded real resilience from Thomas Tuchel’s team to steer a match they didn’t dominate toward a conclusion, before Bellingham’s decisive intervention deep into extra time settled the tie.
Here’s a full assessment of England’s players in Miami.
Jordan Pickford – 5/10. He became England’s most-capped World Cup player in history on the night, yet his role in Norway’s opener will linger. He was beaten by Andreas Schjelderup’s precise cross, a moment that will haunt him more than any personal milestone. It was an unconvincing evening between the posts.
Ezri Konsa – 7/10. Deployed at right-back rather than his usual central position, Konsa offered a composed and disciplined display. He defended reliably throughout, though his attacking contributions understandably remained limited. A loose pass toward Stones once almost invited danger.
Marc Guehi – 8/10. Tasked with containing Haaland while nursing an earlier hamstring issue, Guehi delivered perhaps his most complete England performance to date. His focus rarely wavered as Norway sat deeper and forced him into more frequent possession, yet he remained unflappable and effective.
John Stones – 7/10. His understanding of the game proved crucial, notably with a key interception denying Haaland a clear sight of goal. Flashes of carelessness in possession in a dangerous area threatened at times, but his positional sense and composure edged the balance in England’s favour.
Nico O’Reilly – 7/10. Continues to develop into a highly unusual role, serving as a left-back who can drift into an auxiliary playmaker in possession. Norway’s Alexander Sørloth occasionally pinned him and looked to exploit the space, but O’Reilly’s forward work remained a meaningful outlet.
Elliot Anderson – 7/10. Initially operating in a more advanced position, his driving run ignited the move that produced England’s equaliser. He later dropped into a deeper midfield role after Rice’s substitution and adapted seamlessly, maintaining his influence across phases.
Declan Rice – 6/10. Used as England’s deepest midfielder, a choice influenced by illness earlier in the week and the tactical need to shield the back line from Norway’s direct routes to Haaland and Sørloth. He looked short of full sharpness and faded as the match progressed, even more so by half-time.
Jude Bellingham – 9/10. His quality shone through in the big moments, with a performance that underscored his importance to England’s balance. Bellingham’s poise, pressing, and decisive contribution after extra time finally broke the deadlock and sent England through to the semi-finals. He provided leadership, energy, and a crucial goal at the crucial juncture, sealing his side’s progress when it mattered most.
Note: The above ratings reflect performances across the regulation 90 minutes plus extra time, recognizing the players’ contributions in a tightly contested fixture where England endured sustained pressure before finding a breakthrough.