Jude Bellingham carried England into the World Cup semifinals on Saturday, scoring twice in extra time to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory over Norway. England are in the final four now. Norway are out.
That is why Spain Vs England is being searched with new urgency today, because England’s route through the knockout bracket has been defined by Bellingham’s late surge. Andreas Schjelderup had put Norway ahead, but Bellingham answered when England needed it most and settled a match that had already moved into extra time.
The scoreline only tells part of what happened. England’s opening goal came after a Norwegian goal kick appeared to strike the overhead sky camera wire before dropping to Elliot Anderson in the build-up, which left Norway furious. Later, a Norway goal by Torbjorn Heggem was ruled out by VAR after a push on Anderson by Erling Haaland at a corner, and England were also denied when a penalty award for Djed Spence was overturned. The match had the feel of one that was being judged as much by the officials as by the players.
There is a bigger bracket taking shape around it. Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time on Saturday to set up a tie with England, even though Lionel Messi was not on the scoresheet and Breel Embolo was sent off after a VAR review for mistaken identity. England’s next opponent is now clear, and Bellingham’s two goals have made the final four feel less like a checkpoint than a warning to whoever is waiting on the other side.
