Jude Bellingham's Brace Sends England into World Cup Semi-finals

England are in the World Cup semi-finals!

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham emerges as the Man of the Match from the quarter-final encounter.

The 23-year-old's brace sends the "Three Lions" past Norway into the world's top four. He had already netted twice in the round of 16 against Mexico.

The Scandinavians initially took the lead thanks to a goal from Andreas Schjelderup (36').

Quiet Opening Phase

The first half hour in quick succession: England sees more of the ball and aims to create danger through switches of play and one-on-one situations. The defensively robust Norwegians lie in wait for transition moments.

Harry Kane has the best opportunity in this phase. The Bayern striker's free-kick attempt goes over the bar (29').

One moment suddenly turns the game on its head: defender John Stones is inattentive in the build-up and loses the ball. The mistake remains without consequences, as goalscorer Erling Haaland can't get to it. However, the wobble in the English defense marks the start of a Norwegian attacking phase.

Norway Steps Up

Haaland initially fails with his header attempt (35'). Just one minute later, Norway takes a spectacular lead.

Andreas Schjelderup, who moved into the starting XI after his two substitute assists in the round of 16 against Brazil, cuts in from the left side towards goal and surprises Pickford with a shot into the far corner. The ball dips perfectly over England's goalkeeper and goes in off the inside of the post for 1-0 (36').

Kane protests after the goal, as he was struck by Patrick Berg during the ball recovery in front of goal. However, VAR sees no foul and does not intervene.

Coach Stale Solbakken's team wants to follow up immediately. Alexander Sörloth holds up the ball in the box but shoots over (39'). Captain Martin Ödegaard aims for the near post from outside the box a minute later, but Pickford is there (40'). After that, the Scandinavians get a prime counter-attacking chance, but Sörloth acts too hesitantly, and the opportunity fizzles out (44').

England Equalizes in First Half Stoppage Time

In a strong phase for the Norwegians, England suddenly equalizes. Barcelona newcomer Anthony Gordon initiates the move down the left wing. He finds Jude Bellingham in the center, who drives into the box with pace and scores into the far corner for 1-1 (45'+2).

Now England wants to add another. Kane first tries a long-range shot (45'+3), before scoring to make it 2-1. However, he is marginally offside on Bellingham's through ball, and the flag goes up on the sideline for offside (45'+4).

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Norway Goal Disallowed

For the second half, England coach Thomas Tuchel brings Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka into the game, while Declan Rice and Noni Madueke remain off.

The double substitution initially provides no new impetus. The Norwegians have a strong phase after the restart with several attacking moments, one of which results in a supposed 2-1 goal.

Pickford reacts strongly on the line to a deflected shot. He has no chance on the rebound, which Heggen taps over the line. But then referee Clement Turpin is called to the monitor: even before the corner kick is taken, Haaland pushes opponent Elliot Anderson. The goal is ultimately disallowed (55').

Ajer Hits the Crossbar

In the closing stages, the Norwegians are pushing a bit more. Especially substitutes Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa bring dynamism into the game.

About fifteen minutes before the end of regular time, Pickford punches the ball away after a corner. Substitute Fredrik Aursnes makes the ball dangerous again, and Kristoffer Ajer heads it onto the crossbar (76'). Afterwards, a Nusa shot is too central (85').

On the other side, Saka impressively gets past his opponent, but his low cross finds no recipient in the center (87'). No goal is scored in the seven minutes of stoppage time either, leading to extra time.

Bellingham Sends England to Glory

And in this, the English benefit early from a blunder by Norway's goalkeeper Örjan Nyland. The currently unattached goalkeeper parries a long-range shot from Morgan Rogers forward. Bellingham reacts fastest and scores his brace for 2-1 (93').

Then it seems as if England is close to a decisive goal. Turpin points to the spot after substitute Djed Spence went down in the box. However, the referee is called to the monitor again and retracts the penalty after reviewing the images (102'). Spence had sought contact too much in the duel with Bobb.

Norway's coach surprisingly takes Haaland off the field during the extra time break, Jörgen Strand Larsen comes into the game.

The English remain more dangerous. Spence and Saka fail with their attempts against Nyland (110'). Norway remains committed until the end, but ultimately England holds on for the 2-1 win and advances to the World Cup semi-finals.