Bellingham’s double breaks Norway hearts as England reaches first World Cup semi-final since 2018

 Jude Bellingham once again proved why he has become England’s driving force at the FIFA World Cup, scoring twice, including a dramatic winner in the dying moments of extra time, to lift the Three Lions to a gripping 2-1 victory over Norway on Saturday and secure their first World Cup semi-final appearance since 2018.

With the match seemingly destined for a penalty shootout, Bellingham struck in the third minute of second-half stoppage time in extra time, completing another memorable performance that kept England’s title dream alive.

The victory sends the 1966 world champions into the tournament’s final four, leaving them just one win away from returning to the World Cup final for the first time in six decades.

Bellingham continues golden boot charge

Bellingham’s decisive brace also strengthened his bid for the tournament’s Golden Boot.

The Real Madrid midfielder, who scored twice in England’s Round of 16 victory over co-host Mexico, now has six goals in the competition, drawing level with captain Harry Kane. Only France’s Kylian Mbappé, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, with eight goals apiece, and Norway’s Erling Haaland have found the net more often.

England’s reward is a high-profile semi-final against Argentina, who later defeated Switzerland in Saturday’s other quarter-final.

Norway strike first despite England’s control

Although England controlled possession throughout much of the opening half, it was Norway that delivered the first blow.

Andreas Schjelderup, making only his second start of the tournament, stunned the favorites in the 36th minute when he unleashed a powerful effort that clipped the inside of the right post before nestling into the net.

The goal capped another influential display from the young attacker, who had already supplied both assists for Erling Haaland in Norway’s Round of 16 victory over Brazil.

Schjelderup celebrated by stretching his arms toward the crowd before teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders, while England captain Harry Kane remained on the turf near midfield clutching his leg after an earlier challenge that went unpunished.

Controversy precedes England’s equalizer

England restored parity just before halftime through Bellingham, but not before a controversial sequence unfolded.

Moments earlier, a Norway goal kick appeared to strike an aerial camera cable before dropping to England’s Elliot Anderson. Play continued, however, and the move eventually reached Bellingham, who calmly steered a low finish beyond goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.

Under the Laws of the Game, play should have been stopped if officials had recognized contact with the suspended cable, with possession then determined by a dropped ball.

The goal nevertheless stood, sending the teams into the interval level at 1-1.

Haaland frustrated by Pickford and VAR

Norway continued to threaten after the restart and believed they had regained the lead in the 56th minute.

Following a corner kick, Torbjørn Heggem bundled home the rebound after Jordan Pickford made an initial save. However, a VAR review ruled out the goal after determining that Haaland had committed a foul inside the penalty area during the buildup.

The decision compounded a frustrating afternoon for the towering Manchester City striker.

After entering the match with seven World Cup goals, Haaland was denied by Pickford from close range in the first half and was ultimately held scoreless for the first time in the tournament. He was substituted during the second period of extra time for Jørgen Strand Larsen.

England finds the final blow

With neither side able to break the deadlock through much of extra time, penalties appeared inevitable.

Instead, England’s biggest star delivered one final piece of magic.

Deep into stoppage time, Bellingham found space inside the penalty area and calmly finished to complete his brace, sparking jubilant celebrations among England’s players and supporters.

The late strike finally ended Norway’s remarkable World Cup journey, which had captured global attention through its spirited performances, charismatic squad, and the popularity of its "Viking Row" celebrations led by Haaland.

Eyes now turn to Argentina

England now faces perhaps its sternest examination yet when it meets reigning world champions Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final.

With Bellingham in scintillating form, Kane continuing to lead the attack, and confidence surging after another dramatic knockout victory, the Three Lions stand just one match away from ending a 60-year wait to compete for football’s biggest prize once again.

Before kickoff, both teams observed a moment of silence in memory of South African midfielder Jayden Adams, whose death at the age of 25 was announced earlier on Saturday.