​MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., July 11 (UPI) — Jude Bellingham produced a magnetic performance, pinning the ball to his feet, threading through defenders, and delivering two decisive scores that propelled England past Norway on Saturday and earned a berth in the 2026 World Cup semifinals. The Real Madrid midfielder helped the Three Lions overturn an early 1-0 deficit in a 2-1 extra-time victory at Miami Stadium, capping a dramatic knockout win that kept England’s title hopes alive.
More than 64,000 fans filled the venue, and a loyal faction of Three Lions supporters roared their appreciation, singing along to the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” as the team celebrated. With this win, England—ranked No. 4 by FIFA—paused Norway’s surprising run and advanced to the semifinals for the second time in the last three World Cup editions. The next challenge would pit them against either defending champion Argentina or Switzerland in a bid for a spot in the final.
England, donning white kits, started on the front foot, attempting to control the tempo with patient buildup and a steady stream of passes. They kept Norway at arm’s length with sustained possession, but it took time for the breakthrough to come. Bellingham nearly opened the scoring with a head attempt in the 19th minute that sailed wide, and Harry Kane had a free kick sail over the bar about 10 minutes later, signaling the end of England’s early dominance without reward.
Norway, in their red uniforms, found momentum as the first half wore on, launching several forays into English territory. Their pivotal moment arrived in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup, fed by Martin Ødegaard on the left side of the box, faced Ezri Konsa and unleashed a swift, accurate shot that struck the right post and found the net, giving the visitors a temporary advantage.
The momentum shift, however, was short-lived for Norway. Just before halftime, Bellingham leveled the score in an exchange that showcased his instincts and poise. The sequence began when Nyland appeared to fumble a kick before the ball landed at the feet of England, where Bellingham carried it forward. He threaded around a cluster of defenders and struck a shot with his left foot that found the back of the net past Nyland, restoring parity for England as the first half ended.
In the second half, Kane looked to restore England’s lead with another attempt, but a marginal offside call nullified what would have been a goal, keeping the match deadlocked and pushing it into extra time. The drama intensified in the extra period as England took charge with renewed urgency. Bellingham delivered a second moment of magic, receiving a pass from winger Anthony Gordon, weaving through a dense crowd of Norwegian players, and firing a precise strike past Nyland to give England a lead that would stand in the dying minutes of the game.
Norway mounted late pressure, uncertain whether a comeback was possible, but England held firm, refusing to yield. The slight chance of an equalizer was extinguished when further attempts were denied by England’s defense and the persistence of their goalkeeper, preserving the 2-1 advantage through the final whistle.
Bellingham’s impact extended beyond the two goals, as his overall activity and decision-making helped England dictate the rhythm in tight spaces and maintain control during critical phases of the match. His performance reflected the broader quality that England brought to the tournament as a whole—technical skill, composure under pressure, and the ability to rise to the moment when it mattered most.
In the end, England celebrated the result with their supporters, exhaling deeply after a hard-fought victory that keeps their World Cup aspirations alive. The semifinal matchup will pit England against the winner of the Argentina-Switzerland clash, a test that promises high drama and the chance to advance to the tournament’s final stage.