England's Late Surge Secures Semifinal Spot
England fought back from an early setback to edge Norway 2‑1 in extra time, booking a place in the World Cup semifinals. Norway opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup found the net, but England’s response was swift and relentless.
Jude Bellingham emerged as the decisive figure, scoring twice in the second half of extra time. His first goal in the 108th minute gave England the lead, and he added a second in the 115th minute with a powerful strike that left the Norwegian defense helpless.
Erling Haaland, who was expected to be the main threat, was kept quiet and was substituted late in the game due to fatigue and a minor injury. A goal by Norway was later disallowed after a foul by Haaland, adding to the drama.
Coach Thomas Tuchel, who took charge just weeks ago, acknowledged that the performance was far from perfect, but he praised the team’s fighting spirit and the impact of young talents like Bellingham, who now sits alongside Harry Kane with six tournament goals.
What This Means for the Tournament
The semifinal berth not only revives England’s hopes of ending a half‑century wait for glory, it also underscores the growing competitiveness of the tournament, where traditional powerhouses are being challenged by emerging forces. England will now face Argentina, aiming to reach the final and bring the World Cup title back to England for the first time since 1966.