Thanks to two goals from Jude Bellingham, England defeated Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and reached the semi-finals. British PM Keir Starmer praised Bellingham’s performance.
Florida [अमेरिका]July 12 (ANI): British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has praised star midfielder Jude Bellingham, who helped England reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 2-1 extra-time win over Norway.
Responding to England’s quarter-final win, Starmer posted a brief message on Twitter, highlighting Bellingham’s match-winning performance. “Norway 1 – 2 Jude Bellingham,” Starmer wrote on the x. @JonasGahrStore, your lads got a hell of a beating 🏴👍👍👍 — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 11, 2026.
Bellingham’s two goals, England in semi-finals
Talking about the match, Bellingham scored two goals as England defeated Norway in extra time from one goal down to book their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Real Madrid midfielder scored a late equalizer in the first half and then scored the decisive goal in extra time to complete a 2-1 comeback for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Norway started the better and took the lead in the 36th minute through Andreas Schelderup, who scored brilliantly. Earlier, Erling Haaland had tested England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a header. England responded just before the break when Bellingham stepped forward and calmly headed the ball into the net for the equaliser. Harry Kane put England ahead moments later, but his goal was ruled offside.
Norway thought they had taken the lead again just before the hour mark when Torbjorn Hagem scored, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review found Haaland guilty of a foul on Eliot Andersen during the build-up. Norway continued to attack, with Kristoffer Ajer’s shot hitting the crossbar, while England also came close to scoring through Jade Spence after a mistake by goalkeeper Orjen Nyland.
Since neither team could find a winner in normal time, the match went to extra time. Bellingham proved the difference when he reacted quickest after Nyland failed to block a powerful shot from substitute Morgan Rogers and scored from close range to send England into the last four.
Compete with Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals
England will now face defending champions Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals at the Atlanta Stadium on July 15.
New records made in the match
Bellingham was named player of the match. He and captain Harry Kane have now scored six goals each at the 2026 World Cup, which is the first time that two England players have scored at least five goals in the same edition of the tournament.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also achieved a major feat, playing his 18th FIFA World Cup match, becoming England’s most capped goalkeeper in World Cup history, surpassing Peter Shilton’s previous record of 17 matches.
For Norway, this defeat ended a memorable campaign that included their first appearance in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. Their previous best performances were reaching the Round of 16 in 1938 and 1998, as well as a group-stage appearance at the 1994 World Cup. (ANI)
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