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England wobble but Djed Spence and John Stones make case for the defence
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36'
Goal Andreas SCHJELDERUP (Norway) scores!!
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45'+2'
Goal Jude BELLINGHAM (England) scores!!
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93'
Goal Jude BELLINGHAM (England) scores!!
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117'
Yellow card Kristoffer AJER (Norway) is booked by
Norway squad
- Selected
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1 Orjan NYLAND Goalkeeper
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3 Kristoffer AJER Defender
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5 David MOLLER WOLFE Defender
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6 Patrick BERG Midfielder
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7 Alexander SORLOTH Forward
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8 Sander BERGE Midfielder
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9 Erling HAALAND Forward
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10 Martin ODEGAARD C Midfielder
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17 Torbjorn HEGGEM Defender
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21 Andreas SCHJELDERUP Midfielder
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26 Julian RYERSON Forward
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2 Morten Thorsby Midfielder
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4 Leo OSTIGARD Defender
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11 Jorgen STRAND LARSEN Forward
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12 Sander TANGVIK Goalkeeper
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13 Egil SELVIK Goalkeeper
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14 Fredrik AURSNES Midfielder
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15 Fredrik Andre BJORKAN Defender
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16 Marcus HOLMGREN PEDERSEN Defender
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18 Kristian Thorstvedt Midfielder
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19 Thelo AASGAARD Midfielder
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20 Antonio NUSA Forward
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22 Oscar BOBB Midfielder
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23 Jens Petter HAUGE Midfielder
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24 Sondre LANGAS Defender
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25 Henrik FALCHENER Defender
England squad
- Selected
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1 Jordan PICKFORD Goalkeeper
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2 Ezri KONSA Defender
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3 Nico OREILLY Defender
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4 Declan RICE Midfielder
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5 John STONES Defender
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6 Marc GUEHI Defender
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8 Elliot ANDERSON Midfielder
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9 Harry KANE C Forward
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10 Jude BELLINGHAM Midfielder
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18 Anthony GORDON Forward
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20 Noni MADUEKE Forward
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7 Bukayo SAKA Forward
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11 Marcus RASHFORD Forward
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12 Trevoh CHALOBAH Defender
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13 Dean Henderson Goalkeeper
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14 Jordan HENDERSON Midfielder
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15 Dan BURN Defender
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16 Kobbie MAINOO Midfielder
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17 Morgan ROGERS Midfielder
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19 Ollie WATKINS Forward
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21 Eberechi EZE Midfielder
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22 Ivan TONEY Forward
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23 James TRAFFORD Goalkeeper
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24 Reece JAMES Defender
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25 Djed SPENCE Defender
- Full squad
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26 Jarell QUANSAH Defender
England reached the World Cup semi-finals after a nervy extra-time victory over Norway in Miami, with substitute Djed Spence and centre-back John Stones singled out for restoring solidity to a much-criticised defence. The win mattered because England had wobbled badly in the second half following manager Thomas Tuchel's half-time reshuffle, yet their back five ultimately held firm to see out the game.
The report is critical of Tuchel, arguing his half-time changes — forced partly by an unwell Declan Rice going off — handed midfield control to Norway's Martin Ødegaard before further substitutions gradually restored order. Erling Haaland was contained by Stones and Marc Guéhi, restricted to 21 touches and a 38% pass completion rate before being replaced in extra time, while Jude Bellingham's brilliance and a goalkeeping error from Ørjan Håskjold Nyland secured the winner after Andreas Schjelderup had put Norway ahead. Norway, denied a first World Cup semi-final, were left to rue Alexander Sørloth's failure to release Haaland for a potential second goal.
In short
- England beat Norway in extra time to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
- Spence and Stones praised for steadying a maligned England defence.
- Haaland contained to 21 touches; Bellingham and a keeper error decided it.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Tuchel's half-time tactical changes disrupted England's approach and ceded midfield control to Martin Ødegaard, forcing the side into a dangerous wobble that required multiple reactive substitutions to rectify. Rather than demonstrating tactical foresight, his piecemeal adjustments suggest reactive management that unnecessarily exposed England to risk in a crucial match.
The case against
Tuchel had to adapt when Declan Rice fell ill mid-match, and his tactical adjustments ultimately stabilised England's position effectively. The introduction of Djed Spence, combined with the defensive excellence of John Stones and Marc Guéhi in containing Erling Haaland, restored order and England's control, with the extra-time victory validating his responsive in-game management.
Explained simply
England played Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami, with a win guaranteeing a place in the semi-finals. England won 2-1 in extra time.
England's defence had faced significant criticism before this match, but proved effective in this game. Substitute Djed Spence and centre-back John Stones were among those who impressed, whilst Erling Haaland, one of world football's most dangerous strikers, had limited impact after being closely marked by England's defenders.
The match was tightly contested, with both teams creating chances. Norway had hopes of reaching their first World Cup semi-final, but England's back line kept them at bay to secure progression.