By Samuel Akpan
Jude Bellingham delivered yet another decisive performance to propel England into the World Cup semifinals, edging out Norway 2-1 after extra time in a tense quarterfinal encounter that highlighted the Three Lions’ resilience in knockout football.
This victory marks England’s fourth appearance in the World Cup semifinals, following triumphs over Argentina in 1966, Cameroon in 1990 and Sweden in 2018.
The campaign has also seen the team set a new record for the most open-play goals scored in a single World Cup tournament.
Norway stunned the favorites when Andreas Schjelderup unleashed a spectacular long-range strike to give the Scandinavians a 36th-minute lead.
Bellingham responded just before halftime, finding space to level the score and shift momentum back in England’s favor.
The midfielder’s tireless running and forward surges complemented Harry Kane’s tendency to drop deep and link play.
Bellingham ended the match with five shot attempts, though he only registered his first effort in the 45th minute as he gradually grew into the contest.
Having already endured three dramatic knockout victories, England once again demonstrated their ability to dig deep when it mattered most.
The sequence of tense wins has not only bonded the squad but also strengthened their connection with the fanbase, with manager Thomas Tuchel receiving praise for navigating the side to this stage.
Tuchel’s tactical approach allowed England to dominate the first half, regaining the control that had been missing against DR Congo and Mexico, while pinning Norway deep in their territory.
Questions lingered, however, over the starting wide combination of Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke, which appeared mismatched for the occasion.
Gordon still made his presence felt by contributing to a swift break that benefited from a fortunate deflection.
Early in the second half, Tuchel sought to increase attacking threat by introducing Eberechi Eze for Declan Rice, altering the midfield structure.
While this change enhanced England’s forward options, it left gaps that Norway exploited, granting the underdogs 63 percent possession during a spell from the 45th to the 71st minute.
The England boss then brought on Reece James in place of Gordon to tighten the midfield.
When further adjustments were needed, he repositioned Morgan Rogers to support Bellingham in advanced areas, leaving Elliot Anderson as the lone defensive midfielder.
This setup sparked a period of sustained pressure that lasted approximately 15 minutes and culminated in the decisive second goal.
The final half-hour remained fraught with tension as England dropped into a compact defensive shape, requiring Rogers to track back and cover for Bellingham.
Nevertheless, the collective determination and high work-rate enabled the team to withstand the pressure and secure their semifinal berth.
Critics observed that Tuchel often appeared a step behind the evolving requirements of the match due to his constant tinkering with formations.
In his defence, the depth and versatility within the squad—particularly the ability of players like Eze and James to adapt across different systems—proved vital in turning the tide and ensuring progression.
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