Jude Bellingham was the hero once again for England (Image: Getty)
England progressed to the World Cup semi-finals after coming from behind to beat Norway thanks to yet more Jude Bellingham brilliance. A dull first half exploded into life in Miami when Andreas Schjelderup’s intended cross fortuitously went in off the inside of the post in the 36th minute. But Bellingham pulled the Three Lions level as he superbly took Anthony Gordon’s pass into his stride before firing into the far bottom corner.
Harry Kane thought he’d put England ahead before being denied by the offside flag, while a Torbjorn Heggem goal was also disallowed at the Hard Rock Stadium for an Erling Haaland foul. Neither side could find a winner in normal time, so it went an extra 30 minutes in the Florida humidity. But then Bellingham struck his sixth goal at this World Cup to book a semi-final showdown against either Argentina or Switzerland next week. It is only the fourth World Cup semi in England’s history, after 1966, 1990 and 2018.
Express Sport rates and slates the England players after another huge victory…
England player ratings vs Norway
Fast on his feet to deny Erling Haaland a chance on goal in after John Stones’ mistake then saved well from Haaland’s header soon after. Was guilty of an error for the goal, which he could have got a hand to. Looked like he pulled his arm away, thinking it was going over or wide. Also saved from Martin Odegaard and Haaland to see England over the line.
Gave Schjelderup too much room when his cross-cum-shot flew in. Great defending to head clear, then deny substitute Antonio Nusa in the same second-half attack. Even better to prevent Berge from making it 2-1 under the crossbar from the following corner. Taken off late on when he looked spent.
Very lucky that Pickford bailed him out when he was caught on the ball inside his own box by Sander Berge. But defended well against a two-vs-one with Haaland and Sorloth.
Largely sound defensively and plenty of progressive passes from the back to get England into the final third. Denied what looked to be a certain goal with a stunning block.
Drifted inside a lot in an inverted role when England had the ball and made some pivotal defensive contributions. A great block on an Alexander Sorloth shot when Norway were 1-0 up and then thwarted Nusa inside the box in the second half as well. Taken off before extra time.
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Jude Bellingham has scored six goals at this World Cup (Image: Getty)
Saw loads of the ball and hardly misplaced a pass. A good drive forward in the build-up to the equaliser before passing to Gordon. Pushed to the ground by Haaland before Heggem’s goal was disallowed. Was excellent on the ball in extra time and vital to seeing out victory.
Tidy on the ball but looked desperately short of sharpness and even struggled to take set-pieces. Was understandably withdrawn at half-time and his fitness is a worry ahead of the semi-final.
Ineffective and paid the price as he was hooked for his Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka at half-time. England need better from him with Saka not at 100 per cent.
The hero again with a phenomenal equaliser and a clever winner. Produced three perfect touches before side-footing low past Orjan Nyland to make it 1-1. A magnificent pass to Kane for the offside goal. His influence seemed to wane second half but he gambled and was first to the rebound of Rogers’ saved shot to make it 2-1. Six goals at one World Cup from a midfielder. Wow.
Great ball across the defence to Bellingham for his fourth assist of this World Cup as he continues to contribute in big moments. A threatening second-half cross to Kane, which his captain couldn’t bring under control. Taken off soon after.
Complained that he was fouled before the Norway opener, but the ref was right, it wasn’t a foul. Had a goal ruled out for offside before half-time when he supplied a fantastic finish but was definitely offside. A dangerous header worried Nyland in extra time and he worked really hard defensively.
England substitutes
Bukayo Saka (Rice 46′) – 7
Took time to get into it after replacing Madueke. Brilliant work to find space and put a ball across the six-yard box but none of his team-mates could get to it first. Twice denied England’s third goal in extra time.
Eberechi Eze (Madueke 46′) – 5
Had a free-kick deflected over in his first involvement. Went to sleep when Berge broke away from him early in the second half.
Reece James (Gordon 70′) – 5
Came on in midfield to let Bellingham move back into the No.10 role. But then dropped to right-back after Konsa’s withdrawal.
Djed Spence (O’Reilly 86′) – 7
Brought on at left-back against Oscar Bobb. Almost had a fortunate deflected stoppage-time winner after sprinting 60 yards forward to press. Thought he’d won a penalty with a brilliant run but the decision was overruled after a VAR check. Denied a goal to make it 3-1 by Nyland and then important defending to thwart a late, late Norway attack before the full-time whistle.
Morgan Rogers (Konsa 88′) – 6
A late introduction and asked to play in a deeper central midfield position than usual. Took the shot from range, which forced the Nyland mistake that Bellingham made it 2-1 from.
Dan Burn (Bellingham 111) – 6
Brought on to help repel late Norway balls into the box and won a colossal header late on.