Omanghana
England booked their place in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging Norway 2-1 in a dramatic extra-time quarterfinal at Miami Stadium, with Jude Bellingham delivering a match-winning brace to keep the Three Lions’ title hopes alive.
The Real Madrid midfielder proved to be England’s hero, scoring twice in a thrilling encounter that featured controversy, VAR drama, and a heartbreaking end to Norway’s historic World Cup campaign.
Norway stunned England by taking the lead in the 36th minute through Andreas Schjelderup. The winger’s attempted cross caught everyone by surprise as it looped over goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and into the top corner, giving the Scandinavian side a shock advantage.
England responded just before halftime when Bellingham found the back of the net in second-half stoppage time to level the score at 1-1. However, the equalizer was immediately surrounded by controversy after television replays appeared to show the ball striking an overhead skycam cable during the attacking move. Norwegian players and officials protested that play should have been halted, but the goal was allowed to stand.
The second half produced more drama as Norway believed they had regained the lead in the 56th minute. Defender Torbjørn Heggem headed home, only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR review. Officials determined that Erling Haaland had committed a foul by pushing England’s Elliot Anderson in the buildup, leaving the score unchanged.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the match headed into extra time.
Bellingham once again rose to the occasion in the 93rd minute, reacting quickest inside the penalty area to finish from close range and give England a decisive 2-1 advantage. His clinical strike ultimately proved to be the winner, sending the Three Lions into the last four.
The victory keeps England’s dream of winning their first FIFA World Cup since 1966 alive. The Three Lions will now travel to Atlanta, where they will face either Argentina or Switzerland in Wednesday night’s semifinal.
For Norway, the defeat marks the end of a memorable tournament. Despite the heartbreaking exit, the quarterfinal appearance represents the nation’s deepest and most successful run in FIFA World Cup history.
Source: Omanghana
