England edged past Norway 2-1 in a gruelling World Cup quarter-final in Miami on 11 July 2026, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice in extra time to send Gareth Southgate’s side into the semi-finals. The Three Lions survived a nervy encounter in Florida, with Norway pushing them all the way before Bellingham’s 47th-minute strike and a dramatic 93rd-minute winner sealed the win.

What happened in Miami?

Norway took the lead early, missed a gilt-edged chance to double it, and saw a goal disallowed before England clawed their way back. Bellingham’s first goal came from a scrappy rebound after a Jordan Pickford save, while his second was a composed finish after a rapid counter. The game lasted 122 minutes, with England’s players visibly exhausted by the heat and humidity in Florida.

Thomas Tuchel, Norway’s manager, admitted his side were lucky to progress. “We got lucky,” he said. “We made life very difficult for ourselves. The result is fantastic but I am not happy with the performance.” His criticism focused on sloppy play, technical errors, and a lack of pace. Bellingham, however, defended his teammates. “It’s difficult out there, it’s a tough shift,” he said. “All the players have put in a great shift.”

Why it matters for England

England’s path to the semi-finals has been far from smooth. They overcame Croatia 4-2 in their opener, were held by Ghana, scraped past Panama 2-0, and needed a late fightback to beat DR Congo before edging Mexico 3-2 with 10 men. Their recent form reads 5W-0D-0L, with the last five wins all coming in World Cup 2026.

Bellingham, who now averages a goal a game in the tournament, is leading the line with six strikes. His partnership with Harry Kane has been crucial, though Kane’s role has shifted deeper as England adapt to different opponents. The semi-final against Argentina on 15 July 2026 in Atlanta will test them further.

What comes next?

Tuchel’s comments about England’s mentality have sparked debate. Some former England players praised his honesty, while others questioned his perspective. Bellingham dismissed the criticism, arguing that winning in tough conditions against elite players like Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard required more than pretty passing.

England now face a daunting semi-final against Argentina, who have looked sharp in attack. With Jordan Henderson still sidelined, Southgate may need to reshuffle his midfield. One thing is clear: England’s character and resilience will be tested again in Atlanta.

Last result: Norway 1-2 England (2026-07-11). Next fixture: vs Argentina (at home, 2026-07-15).