In one of the FIFA World Cup semifinals, played in Miami, the England national team beat Norway 2-1 in the quarterfinals and advanced to the final four of the tournament. Jude Bellingham scored twice to turn the game around. Andreas Schjelderup had given the Scandinavians the lead.
England thus returns to the World Cup semifinals after eight years, having last reached them in Russia in 2018, where they lost to Croatia.
In the first half, Stale Solbakken’s men deserved more, but went into halftime tied.
The Vikings, as against Brazil, improved as the game progressed and neutralized the Three Lions’ attack in Miami.
Despite ceding possession to Thomas Tuchel’s men, they couldn’t find the space to seriously threaten Orjan Nyland’s goal.
Meanwhile, the Scandinavians defended resolutely and had several chances to take the lead.
The opening goal came in the 36th minute, somewhat fortuitously, as Schjelderup delivered a powerful cross looking for Erling Haaland, and the ball slipped past Jordan Pickford at the far post for 1-0.
Immediately, Norway threatened again, but couldn’t capitalize.
At England’s lowest point, and taking advantage of the opponent’s passive defense, Anthony Gordon assisted Bellingham, who scored to make it 1-1, the score at halftime.
At the start of the second half, Tuchel brought on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze in place of Noni Madueke and Declan Rice.
This allowed England to have a greater attacking presence in the opening minutes of the second half, creating a couple of chances.
In the 57th minute, Torbjorn Heggem scored his team’s second goal, but a foul by Haaland in the build-up caused it to be disallowed.
Minutes later, the Vikings’ manager brought on Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb, which gave them more attacking impetus.
As the minutes ticked by, both teams’ play became less defined, and it was the English who had a couple of opportunities to win the game.
The lack of attacking play from both sides led to the match going to extra time.
At the start of extra time, England’s superior fitness made the most of it, and they quickly took the lead.
Nyland, who had made a crucial save, made a poor reaction to a weak shot from Morgan Rogers, and Bellingham pounced on the rebound to make it 2-1 in Miami in the 93rd minute.
Shortly after, Djed Spence went down in the Norwegian penalty area, and referee Clément Turpin awarded a penalty.
After reviewing the play on VAR, the referee determined that the Englishman had initiated the contact and overturned his decision.
At the start of the second period of extra time, the manager substituted Haaland, who had looked very poor throughout the match.
Only a shot from Sander Berge and another from Bobb troubled the Three Lions, who spent the remainder of the extra time defending near Pickford’s goal.
With this result, England advanced to the semifinals and will play against Argentina, who eliminated Switzerland.
