The 23-year-old midfielder scored twice in a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory in Miami, becoming the first player in 40 years to net consecutive knockout braces at a single World Cup.
MIAMI GARDENS, Florida — Jude Bellingham etched his name alongside footballing royalty as England defeated Norway 2-1 after extra time at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, July 11, 2026, securing a spot in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals. The Real Madrid midfielder scored both goals for the Three Lions, emulating a knockout stage milestone set by Diego Maradona four decades ago.
The high-stakes quarter-final match saw Norway open the scoring in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup beat the English defence to fire a dipping strike off the right post into the back of the net. England responded in first-half stoppage time amidst intense technical controversy. A goal kick from Norwegian custodian Ørjan Nyland appeared to strike an overhead Spidercam camera cable before being collected by Elliot Anderson, who assisted Bellingham for a composed low finish to equalise. Despite furious protests from the Norwegian bench calling for a drop ball under IFAB rules, the goal stood.
The match proceeded into extra time locked at 1-1 after both sides had goals disallowed, including an offside call against Harry Kane and a VAR-overturned strike by Norway’s Torbjørn Heggem due to a foul by Erling Haaland. Bellingham struck the decisive blow in the 93rd minute, reacting quickest to convert a rebound after Nyland failed to secure a powerful long-range shot from substitute Morgan Rogers.
With this performance, the 23-year-old midfielder became the first player since Diego Maradona at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico to score two or more goals in consecutive knockout stage appearances in the same tournament edition, following his brace against Mexico in the Round of 16.
Bellingham has now accumulated seven career World Cup goals for England, matching the legendary Pelé’s tally before the age of 24. Furthermore, all six of his goals at the 2026 tournament have come from open play, equalling Gary Lineker’s 1986 national record for the most non-penalty goals in a single major international tournament.
The victory sets up a historic semi-final clash between England and defending champions Argentina, scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
