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Big game Bellingham steps up again with show-stopping World Cup run for England | Andrew Beasley
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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's run at the 2026 World Cup has increasingly centred on Jude Bellingham, who scored twice against Norway on Saturday having also netted a double against Mexico in the previous round. In doing so, the 23-year-old Real Madrid forward became the first player to score twice in consecutive World Cup knockout matches since Diego Maradona in 1986, underlining his reputation for delivering in the biggest games as England prepare for a semi-final against Argentina.
The article argues that Bellingham's tournament heroics are no fluke, backed by his wider record: nine of his 12 international goals have come at major tournaments (seven at World Cups and two at Euro 2024), a far higher proportion than any of the 44 other men with at least 12 England goals. His figures are not inflated by penalties or weak opposition — no side he has scored against was ranked below 48th at the time — and his other international goals have been dramatic late equalisers against Belgium and Greece, plus a strike at Hampden Park. In this tournament, three of England's four instances of a player recording at least 0.6 non-penalty expected goals in a match were Bellingham's knockout displays, with the other coming from Ezri Konsa against Croatia.
In short
- Bellingham scored twice against both Mexico and Norway in the knockouts.
- First to score twice in consecutive World Cup knockout games since Maradona in 1986.
- Nine of his 12 England goals have come at major tournaments.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Bellingham's performance record provides robust evidence of genuine tournament excellence. Three-quarters of his international goals came at major tournaments scored against top-ranked opposition without penalty inflation, and strong underlying metrics support this tournament's output. The direct comparison to Maradona reflects a measurable level of decisive contribution that distinguishes him from peers.
The case against
Whilst Bellingham's performances have been impressive, constructing a broader 'clutch player' narrative warrants caution. Four tournaments represent a small sample for claims about mentality, and there is risk of confirmation bias where stellar play draws scrutiny that then confirms established narratives. Additionally, individual scoring is inseparable from team context; playing for stronger teams with superior support systematically creates greater opportunities, and emphasising individual achievement risks obscuring football's fundamentally collaborative nature.
Explained simply
Jude Bellingham is a 23-year-old English footballer who plays for Real Madrid. He has been crucial to England's progress at the 2026 World Cup, helping the team reach the semi-finals where they will face Argentina.
Bellingham has scored twice in England's last two knockout matches, against Mexico and Norway. This makes him only the second player since Diego Maradona to score twice in consecutive World Cup knockout matches.
What sets Bellingham apart is his exceptional record in major tournaments more broadly. The vast majority of his England goals have come at World Cups and the Euros, rather than in friendlies or qualifying matches, suggesting he performs best when stakes are highest. This record indicates how important his continued form will be to England's campaign.
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