Miami: Bellingham’s double sends England to World Cup semi-finals
England has secured a spot in the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami. Jude Bellingham was instrumental, scoring both goals for England in a match impacted by the hot and humid Florida conditions. This win marks England’s fourth appearance in a World Cup semi-final.
The match saw Norway take an early lead through Andreas Schjelderup, whose cross-shot beat Jordan Pickford in the 36th minute. Despite Norway creating further opportunities, including a missed chance by Alexander Sorloth to set up Erling Haaland, Bellingham equalised for England in first-half stoppage time. His goal came after a driving run into the box, firing a low finish into the corner of the net.
Controversy surrounded Bellingham’s equaliser, with Norway players claiming the ball struck an overhead camera cable in the build-up. However, FIFA stated that the ball’s sensor did not register any contact, allowing the goal to stand. Norway also had a second-half goal from Torbjorn Heggem disallowed following a VAR review for a foul by Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson.
Bellingham’s Impact and Team Performance
Bellingham’s second goal, the extra-time winner, came from close range after Orjan Nyland spilled a long-range shot from substitute Morgan Rogers. This secured England’s comeback and continued Bellingham’s impressive performance in the tournament. He now has six goals in the competition, placing him level with Harry Kane.
England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s overall performance despite the victory. In a post-match interview, Tuchel stated, “I’m not happy with the performance. In every sense. The commitment is there but we made life very, very difficult for us in the way we played, how we played. Sloppy, tactical mistakes, not fast enough. Not repetitive enough. We were lucky enough.”
Bellingham, when asked about Tuchel’s comments, responded, “Yeah, well. Whatever. Whatever. It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. All the players are putting in a tough shift. So my thoughts and appreciation go to the players who put in a good shift out there.” Harry Kane echoed Tuchel’s sentiment, acknowledging that the team could perform better despite reaching the semi-finals.
The conditions in Miami Gardens, described as heavy and humid, appeared to affect England’s play for extended periods. Observers noted that the team seemed to struggle with the heat, leading to moments of disorganisation and a lack of precision. Bellingham, however, was highlighted as a player who consistently asserted himself against both the opposition and the challenging environment.
Looking Ahead to the Semi-Finals
Bellingham’s contributions have been significant throughout the tournament, with five of his six goals either putting England ahead or bringing them level. His total of six non-penalty goals is the joint-most by an England player at a World Cup, matching Gary Lineker‘s record from the 1986 edition. He is also now level with Pele with seven goals at World Cups for England, with only Kylian Mbappe having scored more in the competition at 23 years old or younger.
England will now prepare to face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals. The upcoming match is scheduled to take place in Atlanta on Wednesday, with kick-off at 8pm (BST).
The team will aim to improve their performance as they advance further into the tournament, with Tuchel emphasising the need for better quality in their play. Bellingham was substituted in the 110th minute, replaced by Dan Burn, as England solidified their defence to see out the victory.
The semi-final fixture is set for Wednesday in Atlanta.
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Source: skysports.com
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
