England reach 2026 World Cup semi-finals as Bellingham double sinks Norway
Developed over time first seen 1 month ago
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36'
Goal
Andreas SCHJELDERUP (Norway) scores!! -
45'+2'
Goal
Jude BELLINGHAM (England) scores!! -
93'
Goal
Jude BELLINGHAM (England) scores!! -
117'
Yellow card
Kristoffer AJER (Norway) is booked by
Norway squad
- Selected
-
1 Orjan NYLAND
Goalkeeper -
3 Kristoffer AJER
Defender -
5 David MOLLER WOLFE
Defender -
6 Patrick BERG
Midfielder -
7 Alexander SORLOTH
Forward -
8 Sander BERGE
Midfielder -
9 Erling HAALAND
Forward -
10 Martin ODEGAARD
C Midfielder -
17 Torbjorn HEGGEM
Defender -
21 Andreas SCHJELDERUP
Midfielder -
26 Julian RYERSON
Forward -
2 Morten Thorsby
Midfielder -
4 Leo OSTIGARD
Defender -
11 Jorgen STRAND LARSEN
Forward -
12 Sander TANGVIK
Goalkeeper -
13 Egil SELVIK
Goalkeeper -
14 Fredrik AURSNES
Midfielder -
15 Fredrik Andre BJORKAN
Defender -
16 Marcus HOLMGREN PEDERSEN
Defender -
18 Kristian Thorstvedt
Midfielder -
19 Thelo AASGAARD
Midfielder -
20 Antonio NUSA
Forward -
22 Oscar BOBB
Midfielder -
23 Jens Petter HAUGE
Midfielder -
24 Sondre LANGAS
Defender -
25 Henrik FALCHENER
Defender
England squad
- Selected
-
1 Jordan PICKFORD
Goalkeeper -
2 Ezri KONSA
Defender -
3 Nico OREILLY
Defender -
4 Declan RICE
Midfielder -
5 John STONES
Defender -
6 Marc GUEHI
Defender -
8 Elliot ANDERSON
Midfielder -
9 Harry KANE
C Forward -
10 Jude BELLINGHAM
Midfielder -
18 Anthony GORDON
Forward -
20 Noni MADUEKE
Forward -
7 Bukayo SAKA
Forward -
11 Marcus RASHFORD
Forward -
12 Trevoh CHALOBAH
Defender -
13 Dean Henderson
Goalkeeper -
14 Jordan HENDERSON
Midfielder -
15 Dan BURN
Defender -
16 Kobbie MAINOO
Midfielder -
17 Morgan ROGERS
Midfielder -
19 Ollie WATKINS
Forward -
21 Eberechi EZE
Midfielder -
22 Ivan TONEY
Forward -
23 James TRAFFORD
Goalkeeper -
24 Reece JAMES
Defender -
25 Djed SPENCE
Defender - Full squad
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26 Jarell QUANSAH
Defender
England have reached the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup after a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami, with Jude Bellingham scoring both goals to settle a tightly contested quarter-final. His equaliser, which cancelled out Norway's lead, drew scrutiny over whether it should have stood, while his extra-time winner secured England's place in the last four. The result sets up a semi-final against Argentina and prompted comparisons between Bellingham and some of the tournament's greatest goalscorers.
The match generated significant debate beyond the pitch. England manager Thomas Tuchel described his side as fortunate in a pointed post-match interview, drawing a public reply from Bellingham himself. Alfie Haaland, father of Norway striker Erling Haaland, criticised the officiating after his son was substituted despite Norway still needing goals to progress, leaving questions over the decisive equaliser as one of the tie's main talking points.
- Bellingham scores twice as England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time.
- England will face Argentina in the semi-finals.
- Contested equaliser and officiating dominated post-match debate.
New here? Start with this
England's run to the last four is part of the 2026 World Cup, being played in North America, and follows a knockout format in which any match level after normal time goes to extra time to decide a winner. Jude Bellingham, the England midfielder who scored both goals in the win over Norway, has become a central figure in the team's campaign and is now being talked about alongside some of the tournament's most prolific scorers. England's opponents in the semi-final will be Argentina, one of the traditional powerhouses of international football.
Behind the result, there is an added layer of tension involving England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, a German coach who took charge of the national team, and his relationship with his players and press duties. Norway's forward Erling Haaland, one of the world's most prominent strikers, was substituted late in the match while his side still needed to score, a decision that became a talking point among pundits and was addressed publicly by his father, Alfie Haaland, a former professional footballer himself.
Matches like this carry weight because reaching a World Cup semi-final is a rare achievement, and decisions on the pitch, such as whether a goal should have counted, can shape how a team's campaign and a manager's tenure are remembered.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those satisfied with the outcome argue that Bellingham's equaliser was allowed to stand because match officials, presumably supported by video review, judged it to be legitimate under the laws of the game, and that fine margins are an inherent and accepted part of knockout football. From this view, England's progress reflects genuine quality and resilience, including Bellingham's decisive extra-time strike, and Norway's complaints, however understandable in the immediate disappointment of elimination, should not overshadow a result reached through the proper process.
The case against
Those sympathetic to Norway's grievance argue that a goal so contentious it prompted public scrutiny, an unusually candid admission of fortune from England's own manager, and pointed criticism from within the Haaland family collectively suggest the officiating deserved closer examination given what was at stake. On this view, when a marginal call decides passage to a World Cup semi-final, it is entirely reasonable to ask searching questions about consistency and accuracy in decision-making, rather than treating the final scoreline as settling the matter.
Coverage
- Daily Mail — Alfie Haaland aims dig at referees after Norway are knocked out by England in the World Cup quarter-final – after son Erling was bizarrely subbed OFF despite his side needing a goal in Miami
- Daily Mail — Revealed: Little-known reason why Jude Bellingham’s first goal should NOT have stood – as Norway fans complain about England’s equaliser in World Cup quarter-final
- Daily Mail — Defiant Thomas Tuchel clashes with ITV reporter in extraordinary interview as he demands more from his ‘lucky’ England team after World Cup win over Norway – before matchwinner Jude Bellingham hits back with ‘whatever’ jibe
- Daily Mail — Multiple arrests in Piccadilly Circus as wild celebrations turn chaotic after England’s World Cup quarter-final win – as rest of nation rejoices
- BBC Sport — Bellingham reaching heights of World Cup legends with Messi next
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