Miami: England advance to World Cup semi-finals after extra-time win over Norway

By Brian Otieno — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

England secured a place in the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 extra-time victory against Norway in Miami. Jude Bellingham scored both goals for England, including the winner in extra time, after Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway the lead. The match was played in hot and humid conditions, which appeared to impact both teams.

Despite the win, England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance, describing it as “sloppy” and highlighting numerous technical mistakes. He noted that the team “got lucky” and made the game difficult for themselves, suggesting that only “pure mentality” saw them through.

Tuchel’s assessment and player reactions

Tuchel’s post-match comments were direct, stating, “I’m not happy with the performance – in every sense.” He emphasized that while the commitment was present, the quality of play was lacking, with the team not being fast or repetitive enough. He insisted that the issue was not one of mentality but of game quality, and that the team needed to improve.

Bellingham, who scored in the 47th and 93rd minutes, responded to Tuchel’s criticism by acknowledging the difficulty of the match. He stated, “It’s difficult out there, it’s a tough shift. All the players have put in a tough shift.” He also praised his teammates, highlighting that sometimes a team has to “win dirty” rather than always playing perfectly.

Harry Kane, the England captain, also addressed Tuchel’s remarks, indicating that the manager’s feedback was a positive sign. Kane noted that Tuchel congratulated the team but also conveyed that they could perform better, which he viewed as an opportunity for improvement. He stressed the importance of the team’s core ingredients and the need to improve possession play.

Match details and path to semi-finals

Norway initially took the lead through Schjelderup’s cross-shot. Bellingham then equalized in first-half stoppage time, driving into the box and firing a low finish. Norway had a goal disallowed in the second half due to a foul by Erling Haaland, and Kristoffer Ajer later hit the crossbar, almost securing a winner for Norway.

Bellingham’s winning goal came after Morgan Rogers’ long-range shot was spilled by Norway’s goalkeeper, Orjan Nyland, allowing Bellingham to react quickly and score. This marks Bellingham’s sixth goal of the tournament, placing him level with Kane in scoring for England at this World Cup.

England’s journey to the semi-finals has seen them overcome several challenges, including a 4-2 victory over Croatia, a draw with Ghana, a 2-0 win against Panama, and a 3-2 comeback against DR Congo with ten men. The team has often relied on individual performances, particularly from Bellingham and Kane, to navigate difficult matches.

Former England players, including Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney, praised Tuchel’s honesty, suggesting that his critical assessment was a refreshing change from past approaches. Rooney specifically highlighted the team’s character in overcoming a strong Norway side, especially after Ezri Konsa left injured and Declan Rice was replaced due to illness.

England will now face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals, which will take place in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Source: bbc.com