England have booked a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup 2026 after a narrow 2-1 win over Norway in Miami.
The Three Lions quickly gained control at a sweltering Miami Stadium but they found themselves behind in the 36th minute, with Andreas Schjelderup giving Norway the lead with a half-cross, half-shot that bounced in off the far post.
England toiled in attack as half-time loomed but they got a moment of magic when they needed it, with Jude Bellingham receiving a pass on the outside of the box and racing around two defenders before rifling in the equaliser.
Thomas Tuchel’s side might have been expected to go out on the front foot in the second half but it was the Norwegians who began to dominate, with Torbjorn Heggem having a goal ruled out after Erling Haaland fouled Elliot Anderson in the build-up.
Both teams tired as it went to extra time but England were the more alert early on, with Bellingham bundling in a second after a rebound from a Morgan Rogers effort to send England into the last four.
Here’s how the players rated in the World Cup quarter-final.
England
Jordan Pickford, 6: The England keeper reacted well to stop a huge mistake at the back early on, but should probably have done better for the goal. Was reliable enough after that and made saves he’d expect to make.
Ezri Konsa, 6: Perhaps could have closed down the cross that led to the opener, though otherwise kept his winger quiet. Doesn’t offer enough help in attack but dealt well with unkind circumstances.
John Stones, 7: It was always going to be a difficult day against his old teammate Haaland, but he coped well for the most part. Read the game well to cut out pass to Haaland early on and was at the centre of things as England dug deep during a long period of Norway dominance.
Marc Guehi, 7: Also battled with Haaland throughout the first half and into the second, finding himself one-against-one with his teammate often. Won about as often as you could expect him to, made a superb block from a Nusa effort in extra time, and limited Haaland to just a single shot on target.
Nico O’Reilly, 6: Did well early on against Sorloth and got the better of him on several occasions. A lovely one-two with Gordon almost led to an opener, and overall he was solid against a threatening attack.
Elliot Anderson, 7: Was solid in possession and dovetailed well with each of his numerous midfield partners throughout. Produced some key interceptions, always looked to move it forward and was at the centre of things when England did dominate.
Declan Rice, 6: A couple of poor set-pieces in the first half but he was assured in possession and helped his side control the game in parts. England fans will be hoping his half-time substitution was precautionary more than anything else.
Jude Bellingham, 9: Once again took matters into his own hands as he beat two defenders before sliding in a superb equaliser. Was superb in the first half but found himself a victim of England’s subs as he was forced to play more defensively in the second half, though that mattered little as he fired in the rebound for 2-1.
Noni Madueke, 4: It didn’t happen for the Arsenal winger in a first half in which he fluffed a couple of promising England moves. A poor cross, and offside and a handball were enough for Tuchel to hook him at the break.
Harry Kane, 6: The England captain looked tired at times in tough conditions in Miami, and he didn’t threaten much in the original 90 minutes. Was as reliable as ever on the ball for the most part, but it was a quiet day for one of the world’s best strikers.
Anthony Gordon, 6: The winger came into the game off the back of a superb showing against Mexico but he was less effective in Miami. He was neutralised early on but was always looking to make something happen.
Subs
Eberechi Eze, 6: Wasn’t able to get into the game as an attacking threat either in midfield or when on the wing, but was solid in possession and was key further back in the build-up to a lot of England’s good attacking play. Could see plenty of opportunity depending on what has happened with Rice.
Morgan Rogers, 6: Another who brought energy and composure to the midfield at a vital time. It was his long-range effort that led to the second goal as Bellingham tapped in.
Bukayo Saka, 7: A late dribble almost ended in a second goal for England, and the Arsenal man was a nightmare for the Norway defenders. He also offered a constant outlet that was often much appreciated, and was unlucky not to get a goal or assist.
Reece James, 7: Was as dependable as ever after coming on, whether asked to play in midfield or at full-back. Dealt well with the threat offered by Antonio Nusa.
Djed Spence, 7: The Spurs defender brought some much-needed energy at a crucial time and was unlucky to have a penalty decision overruled. Defended diligently and was a threat in attack too.
Dan Burn, 6: Did exactly what was asked of him, as was the case against Mexico.
Norway
Orjan Nyland, 5: There wasn’t a lot the Norway keeper could do about the first goal, though he spilled badly to set Bellingham up for the second.
Julian Ryerson, 7: The full-back did well to neutralise the threat of Gordon in the first half and was solid throughout. It was a big blow for Norway to lose him in the second half.
Kristoffer Ajer, 6: Defended well enough on the whole and could do little about either goal.
Torbjorn Heggem, 6: Was unlucky to have a goal disallowed, but managed to keep Kane quiet throughout.Could have got closer to Bellingham for his first goal.
David Moller Wolfe, 6: Another who defended well enough, though he suffered more as Saka came on.
Sander Berge, 6: The Fulham man helped anchor an impressive Norway midfield and dovetailed well with Odegaard. Nothing spectacular but was another who was solid and dependable throughout.
Martin Odegaard, 6: Tasked with orchestrating a lot of Norway’s build-up play and had varying degrees of success. Failed to unlock the England defence when Norway were on top and tired as extra time went on.
Patrick Berg, 6: The midfielder also contributed to Norway’s period of control and was reliable enough on the ball, though like his teammates he didn’t offer enough in the final third.
Alexander Sorloth, 6: The Atletico Madrid man was as a constant threat down the right but he hesitated to waste a huge chance at 1-0. Was replaced midway through the second half.
Erling Haaland, 6: Unsettled England’s defenders but was not himself on an admittedly difficult day. Didn’t threaten like he usually does and was kept quiet despite a period of Norwegian dominance.
Andreas Schjelderup, 6: The winger was preferred to Antonio Nusa to start this one, and that decision paid off as he managed to somehow curl in the opener. He wasn’t too much of a threat to Konsa for the rest of his time on the pitch though.
Subs: Fredrik Aursnes, 6: Antonio Nusa, 5: Oscar Bobb, 6, Jørgen Strand Larsen 5, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen 5.
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