The England national team qualified for the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, with its victory over Norway by a score of (21) at dawn on Sunday, in the confrontation that took place between them at Miami Stadium, which is the fourth time that the England team has reached the golden square after the 1966, 1990 and 2018 editions, while Norway's march in the quarter-finals was halted, after a participation considered historic by reaching this round.
The format of the match was slow at the beginning, as the England team tried to impose its style of play on its opponent using its attacking power in the first place, and the better side but without any real danger to their opponent's goal, while Norway's attacking performance began to improve after a first attempt from Erling Haaland.
In the 36th minute, Andreas Schildrup succeeded in deceiving goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a powerful ball from outside the box, creating a twist in the match, but the English team was determined to return quickly, and its star Jude Bellingham succeeded in snatching the equalizer after a supply from Anthony Gordon, scoring the fifth goal in his balance in the tournament, and the English team scored a goal through Harry Kane that was canceled by the referee due to offside.
Norway dominates in the second half
The second period witnessed a strong entry from the Norwegian team, which was better than its opponent offensively and scored a goal, but the French referee canceled it, and after returning to the VAR room, the assistant "VAR". Despite the adjustments made by England coach, Thomas Tuchel in order to regain control of the midfield, it was not enough as the Norwegian team was the best and most dangerous, especially through set pieces that almost gave it the lead in the result, after Frederic Orsnis' ball hit the crossbar in 75 min.
England finished the second half attacking strongly, relying on Bukayo Saka's dribbling skills and almost sealed the score before extra-time.
Bellingham settles the match
Bellingham returned to the role of top scorer, taking advantage of a mistake by the Norwegian goalkeeper to keep the ball away to score the second goal of the match at the start of the first extra session. This goal made England free from pressure, as Harry Kane's men imposed clear control that was matched by a Norwegian retreat, especially after the striker Haaland was substituted at the end of the first extra session. Despite the Norwegian pressure, England won the challenge and decided the match, and for the second time in the current edition, Pickford's men turn the tables on their opponent after facing the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 32, and England will face Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
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