Norway 1-2 England (AET): Bellingham's Brace Ends the Fairytale
Norway
EnglandNorway's dream run — the deepest in their history, built on Erling Haaland's brilliance and a defence that had shocked five-time champions Brazil — finally ended in extra time at Hard Rock Stadium. Jude Bellingham scored twice, including a stoppage-time-of-extra-time winner in the 93rd minute, to send England through 2-1 and into the Semifinal.
Norway Draw First Blood
Antonio Schjelderup gave Norway the lead in the 36th minute, finishing off a move started by Martin Ødegaard. For a stretch, it looked like Norway's remarkable run might extend even further — a result that would have eliminated England and sent a team playing in just their second-ever World Cup knockout run into the semifinals.
Bellingham Levels It Before the Break
England responded right before halftime. Jude Bellingham, assisted by Anthony Gordon, equalised in first-half stoppage time to send the sides in level at 1-1 — continuing a tournament-long pattern in which Bellingham has been directly involved in a goal in every single England match.
The Disallowed Goal
In the second half, Norway thought they had retaken the lead when Tobias Heggem put the ball in the net in the 55th minute — only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR review for a foul in the build-up. It is the second time this tournament a Round of 16 or Quarterfinal has been shaped by a contested VAR-disallowed goal, after a nearly identical situation in Argentina's win over Egypt.
Bellingham's Extra-Time Winner
With the match locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, extra time was needed to separate the sides. Jude Bellingham settled it in the 93rd minute — the third minute of extra time — completing his brace and sending England into the Semifinal. Erling Haaland was withdrawn in the 106th minute, his tournament-ending moment coming without the fairytale finish Norway had hoped for.
5 Numbers That Tell the Story
1. Jude Bellingham scored both England goals — his brace has now been directly involved in a goal in every England match this tournament.
2. England out-shot Norway on target 8 to 4, despite a near-even 14-13 split in total attempts.
3. Norway had a goal disallowed by VAR in the 55th minute — the second such controversy of the knockout stage.
4. This was Norway's deepest-ever World Cup run, surpassing their previous best of the Round of 16 in 1998.
5. England advance to the Semifinal on July 15 in Atlanta, where their opponent — the winner of Argentina vs Switzerland — is still to be decided.