England reached the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway on July 11 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Norway took the lead in the 35th minute through Andreas Schjelderup, putting England under pressure as the first half wore on. The quarterfinal was Norway’s first at a World Cup and the country’s best performance in the tournament.
Jude Bellingham equalized shortly before halftime with a left-footed finish after a solo run. The score stayed level through regular time, with both sides creating chances. Early in extra time, Bellingham struck again, converting a rebound inside the box to send England into the final four. He scored both of England’s goals; Schjelderup scored Norway’s only goal.
The result extended England’s knockout run after a 3-2 win over co-host Mexico on July 6. Bellingham scored twice against Mexico before adding his brace against Norway. Norway reached the quarterfinal after beating five-time world champion Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16, with Erling Haaland scoring both goals. Before the match, England head coach Thomas Tuchel said the squad was in strong physical condition. He added that “these things matter in football, and our team and our players have it at the highest level,” information from a Reuters-based preview.
The quarterfinal win sent England into a semifinal scheduled against the winner of Argentina-Switzerland. England’s tournament later ended in a 2-1 semifinal defeat to Argentina on July 15, followed by a 6-4 victory over France in the third-place playoff on July 18. Later coverage by The Athletic credited Bellingham with seven goals for England at the 2026 World Cup.
England’s ability to recover in Miami echoed the high-stakes drama elsewhere in the tournament. Spain also advanced to the semifinals after a late goal against Belgium, setting up a clash with France, as reported in coverage of Spain’s semifinal qualification.
The World Cup semifinals draw impressive attention from fans and media across Europe, including Spain, where interest in international football remains high. The tournament’s later stages often shape discussion about player transfers and tactics, while also influencing football’s wider place in national identity. England’s run to the last four, followed by its third-place finish, added another impressive chapter to the 2026 tournament.
