Jude Bellingham delivered a masterclass performance once again, netting twice as England overcame a resilient Norway side 2-1 after extra time to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Thomas Tuchel’s men found themselves trailing early in the quarter-final clash when Jordan Pickford was caught out by Andreas Schjelderup’s deceptive cross-shot in the 36th minute, the ball sneaking in off the far post.
But England refused to wilt. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Anthony Gordon picked out Bellingham, who showed sublime composure to control and dispatch a clinical finish past Orjan Nyland, leveling the scores on the stroke of half-time.
Norway pushed hard after the restart and thought they had regained the lead through Torbjørn Heggem, only for VAR to correctly spot a foul by Erling Haaland in the build-up. Kristoffer Ajer came agonizingly close, rattling the crossbar as England weathered the storm.
The decisive moment arrived three minutes into extra time. Morgan Rogers unleashed a powerful long-range strike that Nyland could only parry, and Bellingham ever alert pounced on the rebound to grab his sixth goal of the tournament and send the England faithful into raptures.
Harry Kane was later denied a chance to seal the victory when a penalty for a foul on Djed Spence was overturned by VAR, but England’s defense stood firm through the tense closing stages.
Tuchel’s side will now turn their attention to Wednesday’s semi-final, where they will face either Argentina or Switzerland. With Bellingham in this kind of imperious form, England’s dreams of World Cup glory remain very much alive.
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