England’s Jude Bellingham once again proved his class as the midfielder scored a brace to help England beat Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday. The match looked destined to become a thriller when Norway's Andreas Schjelderup scored the opening goal to put his side on top.
England lacked intensity in the first half, with captain Harry Kane effectively blunted. Just when England needed some inspiration, Bellingham stepped up with a stunning strike to level the score at 1-1 just before halftime.
The midfielder found space and timed his run to perfection as he latched onto Anthony Gordon's assist and fired the ball home for his fifth goal of the tournament. Bellingham has developed an extraordinary instinct for delivering in big moments, and he stepped up for his team once again.
At the age of 23, Jude looked to be at the peak of his powers and showed no signs of nerves on the biggest stage. With the other players visibly tiring in the heat, Bellingham found another reserve of energy as he pounced on the rebound after Morgan Rogers' shot was saved, beating his marker to make it 2-1 and seal England's place in the semi-finals. This time, the trademark celebration came out for the English midfielder.
FIFA gives statement on England’s controversial goal
The controversy unfolded just before halftime. Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland launched a goal kick, and several Norwegian players believed the ball had struck one of the cables supporting the spider cam suspended above the pitch. England retained possession, and a few passes later, Bellingham scored the equaliser.
Norway head coach Stale Solbakken and several players immediately protested, repeatedly pointing towards the overhead cables. Solbakken continued his protests on the touchline as England celebrated and again during the halftime interval.
FIFA later released a statement dismissing the claims, saying there was no evidence that the ball had touched the wire. "Before England's goal in minute 45+2 against Norway, the sensor in the Connected Ball showed no peak in the 'heartbeat of the ball' while it was in the air, and therefore no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire and changed the movement of the ball." England will now face Argentina in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
