England are through to the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 extra-time win over Norway in Florida, and this was the kind of knockout tie that underlined why Jude Bellingham has become so central to their hopes. He scored twice, including the decisive goal in the 93rd minute, as England reached the last four for the fourth time in their history.
There was a moment of silence for Jayden Adams before kick-off, before the match quickly became a test of nerve, patience and big-tournament detail. Norway struck first through Andreas Schjelderup in the 36th minute, but England stayed in the game, and by the end of 120 minutes they had done enough to move on.
Former player Daniel Grigore summed up the wider lesson with a short, pointed line: “Poate nu știe.” In this setting, that kind of remark fits the mood of a match where England did not always look smooth, but still found a way through when it mattered most.
Bellingham makes the difference
The key story is simple: Bellingham decided the tie. His equaliser in first-half stoppage time, in the 45+2 minute, gave England a route back into the match, and his second goal in the 93rd minute turned the contest their way just when extra-time pressure was beginning to build.
That is what top tournament players do. They do not just influence a game; they change its direction at the decisive moment. England needed exactly that, because Norway were organised, competitive and dangerous enough to make this a real fight.
Harry Kane had a shot go over from distance in the 29th minute, but England were not at their sharpest in front of goal until Bellingham stepped forward. The difference between a good team and a semi-final team is often that one player who can settle the biggest moments. England found him.
Norway push England all the way
Norway will leave with credit. Ajer hit the bar in the 76th minute, Erling Haaland was only taken off in the 106th minute and replaced by Strand Larsen, and Oscar Bobb shot over in the 114th minute. They never stopped asking questions, and that is why England had to stay composed right to the end.
There was also a big moment at 102 minutes when Clement Turpin overturned a penalty for England. In a tight match, those calls matter because they can swing momentum in an instant. England had to absorb that frustration and keep their focus.
As a result, this felt like a proper knockout victory rather than a comfortable stroll. England were tested, but they answered. Norway, meanwhile, can reflect on the fact that this was the best run in their World Cup history.
What comes next for England?
England now move on as the third team into the semi-finals, with the chance to go even further in the tournament. The challenge from here is clear: performances of this kind can carry a team a long way, but the next opponent will almost certainly punish any lapse more ruthlessly.
For now, though, the verdict is straightforward. England Norway belonged to Bellingham, and to England’s ability to hold their nerve when the game became tense. That is the sort of win that can define a campaign.
Argentina - Elveția urma să se joace at 04:00, which only underlines how late in the tournament this win arrived, and how significant England’s progress has become.
