Jude Bellingham’s 93rd-minute finish sent England into the World Cup semi-finals, but their 2-1 extra-time win over Norway will be remembered as much for VAR interventions as for the comeback. In a Norway-England game full of disputed calls, England now await the winner of Argentina and Switzerland.
Norway seize control through Andreas Schjelderup
Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead in the 36th minute, cutting in from the left and scoring from a difficult angle. England appealed for a foul on Harry Kane in the build-up, but the goal stood after a VAR check.
Norway had resisted England’s early possession and then threatened to extend their lead. Alexander Sørloth delayed in a two-versus-one break with Erling Haaland before England found their response just before the interval.
Jude Bellingham drags England level amid camera-cable debate
Bellingham made it 1-1 in the 45th minute after Anthony Gordon supplied the ball from the left. Norway protested that Ørjan Nyland’s preceding clearance had struck the cable of an overhead camera, creating the unusually short trajectory that began England’s move.
FIFA said it checked the ball-sensor data and detected no additional contact. The episode nevertheless set the tone for a match in which the decisive interpretations repeatedly shifted under scrutiny.
Norway see Torbjørn Heggem’s goal overturned by VAR
Torbjørn Heggem appeared to restore Norway’s lead in the 55th minute after a corner, only for referee Clément Turpin to reverse his initial decision following a pitchside review. The review found that Haaland had pushed Elliot Anderson before the corner was taken, so the goal was disallowed and the corner retaken under the World Cup’s new VAR clarification.
Norway continued to press, with Kristoffer Ajer heading against the bar in the 75th minute, while England also had a penalty awarded and then overturned in extra time after Turpin reviewed Djed Spence’s fall.
England make their edge count through Bellingham
Bellingham pounced after Nyland saved efforts from Kane and Morgan Rogers to score the winner. England’s 53% possession, 563 accurate passes and eight shots on target from 14 attempts gave them a narrow control advantage, even as Norway produced seven corners and 13 shots.
Norway, who had eliminated Brazil, are out. England survive a chaotic quarter-final and move one match closer to the World Cup final.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup, Quarter-finals
Date & Time: Saturday 11 July 2026, 23:00 CET
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Referee: Clément Turpin, France
