MIAMI : Jude Bellingham scored twice, including the winner in extra time, as England battled back to beat Norway 2-1 on Saturday and book their place in the World Cup semi-finals for the fourth time.
Bellingham cancelled out Andreas Schjelderup’s first-half opener before pouncing on a rebound three minutes into extra time to send England into the last four, where they will face defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday.
England reached the semi-finals for the fourth time in their last five major tournaments and remain on course to match their only World Cup triumph in 1966.
“The result is fantastic. We’re in the last four. It’s amazing, but I’m not happy with the performance,” England coach Thomas Tuchel said.
“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves in the way we played. Sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough, not repetitive enough. We were lucky today.”
Norway, playing in their first World Cup in 28 years, bowed out after a spirited display despite keeping tournament top scorer Erling Haaland scoreless for the first time in his last 16 international appearances.
“It is a bit bitter, but it has been an adventure,” Norway captain Martin Odegaard said.
“We must be proud. We are here for the first time in a long time, and we are making our mark. The whole world is talking about us.”
After a cautious opening in sweltering conditions, Norway broke the deadlock in the 36th minute.
Patrick Berg dispossessed Harry Kane near the halfway line before releasing Schjelderup, who cut inside makeshift full back Ezri Konsa and fired a powerful effort into the net.
Norway almost doubled their lead before the interval through Alexander Sorloth and Odegaard but were made to pay in first-half stoppage time.
Anthony Gordon found Bellingham on the edge of the area and the midfielder controlled the ball before beating a defender and curling a superb finish beyond Orjan Nyland.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken claimed England’s move began after a Norwegian clearance struck the aerial cable supporting a television camera, but FIFA said no contact had been registered by the ball’s sensor.
Norway thought they had regained the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Torbjorn Heggem headed home from a corner, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR after Erling Haaland was judged to have fouled Elliot Anderson in the build-up.
England also had a Harry Kane effort ruled out for offside, while substitute Bukayo Saka created several dangerous opportunities as the match opened up.
The decisive moment came three minutes into extra time when Morgan Rogers unleashed a long-range effort that Nyland could only parry, allowing Bellingham to convert the rebound from close range.
VAR later overturned an extra-time penalty awarded to England for a foul on Djed Spence.
Haaland was substituted during extra time as Norway pushed unsuccessfully for an equaliser.
“I feel sorry for the lads, but this is top-level sport at its best or its most gruesome,” a tearful Solbakken said.
“We played fantastic football against a super team, but we didn’t make it.”
