Thomas Tuchel's team, England, managed to reach the 2026 World Cup semi-finals by defeating Norway 2-1 after extra time. This victory came after the team faced serious difficulties in the quarter-final match, which took place at Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 11, 2026.
Match against Norway
In the first half, the English team found itself in a disadvantageous position when Andreas Schjelderup of Norway opened the scoring in the 36th minute. This allowed the underdogs to build hopes for another historic result following an impressive run to the quarter-finals, which included a 2-1 victory over five-time champions Brazil in the round of 16.
The 'Three Lions' managed to respond shortly before halftime when Bellingham scored, equalizing the score. The Real Madrid midfielder demonstrated his attacking skills in the box, reacting quickly to keep England's chances alive, despite Norway dominating most of the first half.
Decisive Moment and Results
After the restart, the match remained tense, with neither team managing to achieve a decisive breakthrough within 90 minutes. Norway continued to pose a threat with its attacking players, while England relied on its experience and individual skill to create chances.
The decisive moment came in the third minute of extra time when Bellingham scored his second goal, taking advantage of Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Niland's inability to fully handle the situation. This goal secured England's place in the final four and concluded a memorable campaign for the Norwegians.
This victory was a continuation of an impressive tournament for Bellingham, who established himself as one of England's most influential players during their playoff run. For Norway, the defeat marked the end of a historic World Cup journey, which included their first quarter-final appearance since 1998.
Other World Cup Events
Meanwhile, the 'Three Lions' will face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday. In another part of the tournament, in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 11, 2026, defending champions Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in a tense quarter-final match.
Alexis Mallister opened the scoring for Argentina in the 10th minute with a header into the net, putting the defending champions in the lead. Switzerland gradually strengthened in the game and managed to equalize in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye scored from close range, forcing the game into extra time.
Switzerland's hopes were severely shaken late in regular time when Breel Embolo received a second yellow card after a VAR check according to FIFA protocol for incorrect identification, forcing Murat Yakin's team to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
Argentina ultimately regained the lead in the 112th minute when Julián Álvarez found space in the box and struck a precise shot into the goal. Later, Lautaro Martínez added the third goal deep into extra time, cementing the victory after Switzerland was forced to push more players forward in search of a second equalizer.
This result allowed Argentina to retain their title defense after another dramatic knockout match. Lionel Scaloni's team also needed a late comeback to eliminate Egypt in the Round of 16 and Cape Verde in the Round of 32. However, squad depth, composure, and extensive tournament experience once again played a decisive role, helping them overcome difficulties and advance further.
Meanwhile, Switzerland's impressive run ended after reaching the round of eight for the first time since 1954.
