Jude Bellingham sent England into the World Cup semifinals with two goals as the Three Lions overturned a 1-0 deficit to seal a 2-1 extra-time win and end Norway hopes of a first-ever last four appearance in the tournament, ESPN reports.
Bellingham became the first player to score back-to-back doubles in the knockout rounds of a World Cup since Diego Maradona in 1986.
The Real Madrid star matched Maradona’s iconic feat by first scoring twice in the 3-2 win against against Mexico in the Round of 16, and then netting a crucial equalizer and an extra-time winner to eliminate Norway in Miami.
Maradona scored twice as Argentina edged out England 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup.
In the semifinals against Belgium, Maradona got the two goals as the Albiceleste triumphed 2-0 to reach the final.
Andreas Schjelderup’s 36th minute opener — a left-foot shot that caught out England keeper Jordan Pickford by crashing in off the far post — gave Norway a deserved lead before Bellingham hauled England level in first-half stoppage time.
Also Read: World Cup 2026: Why Bellingham Has Been Underappreciated In England –Parker
England’s Harry Kane and Norway’s Torbjørn Heggem then had goals disallowed for offside and foul play respectively as the two teams fought out a tense quarterfinal in oppressive heat in Miami.
But after the two sides could not be separated during 90 minutes, Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham gave England the lead with a close-range goal three minutes into extra-time.
With both sets of players visibly struggling with the conditions, Norway coach Ståle Solbakken surprisingly replaced striker Erling Haaland with Jørgen Strand Larsen at half-time in extra time.
And England were able to hold on to clinch a second semifinal appearance in three World Cups — a game that will see them play the winner of Argentina versus Switzerland in Atlanta on Wednesday.
England have not reached the World Cup final since their only triumph in the competition as host nation in 1966.
