By Izuchukwu Okosi
England secured a place in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup late Sunday night with a 2-1 win over Norway at the Miami Stadium.
Jude Bellingham scored England’s two goals in the game after the Three Lions went down to Norway’s lead.
England had more possession of the ball in the first half but it was Norway that got the opening goal.
Andres Schjelderup who has provided three assists in the World Cup so far this time profited from Martin Ordegaard’s through pass in the 36th minute to unleash an unstoppable drive into the top left corner.
England equalised two minutes into added time against the Scandinavians as he got low to steer the ball home from Anthony Gordon’s assist.
Only Gary Lineker (six in 1986) has scored more non-penalty goals in a single World Cup for England than Jude Bellingham in 2026 (five).
The ‘Three Lions’ sensed their tempo had to be quicker but Norway had their own chances deep into the first half with Erling Haaland heading the ball directly into the hands of Jordan Pickford in goal for the Three Lions.
The pair of Nigerian-born England internationals and Arsenal forwards, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, were introduced in place of Arsenal teammates, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke in the second half and moments later, Eze tried a shot from range but it was blocked.
The VAR team in the hub had to verify if Norway had scored a legitimate goal but the verdict was that Erling Haaland pushed a defender in the buildup to the strike that was eventually disallowed.
Reece James who played the first two games of the tournament for England before suffering from an injury made his return to the team with a second half substitution in place of Gordon.
Kristoffer Ajer hit the crossbar with a close range header for Norway while Bukayo Saka curled in a tricky cross into the six yard box of their opponents but Elliot Anderson was not able to reach the ball.
Afterwards it was Norway that seemed to have the energy to press for goals thanks to the introduction of Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb who brought some urgency down the flanks.
Second half substitute Djed Spence however went close to getting England 2-1 up when he closed down on Norway keeper.
Bellingham scored England’s second goal of the goal when he latched onto the rebound after Morgan Rogers’ fierce shot was only pushed out by Orjan Nyland.
England was denied a late penalty after Djed Spence thought he had won a spit kick but on VAR review, it was considered not a foul on the Tottenham Hotspur player.
Spence and Saka went close to finding the back of the net as they hit the near post.The Three Lions held on until the end of extra time to secure the semifinals berth.
