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Norway 1-2 England: Jude Bellingham drags Three Lions into semi-finals
Football
Sun July 12, 2026 · 10 min ago
Joe Townsend
Joe Townsend
Image of the letter X with a black colouring.@JoesterT
Joe is our football editor, responsible for Sporting Life's output across multiple platforms, including This Week's Acca. As well as forming part of that team, he writes regular match previews across a variety of competitions.
England are through to the World Cup semi-finals after Jude Bellingham scored twice to inspire a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami.

Thomas Tuchel's side came from behind, recovering after Andreas Schjelderup's 36th-minute cross-come-shot beat Jordan Pickford, to book a meeting with Argentina after they beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time.

First, just before half-time Bellingham finished brilliantly after weaving into the box following an inside pass from Anthony Gordon.

Then England looked to have turned things around in a matter of moments when Harry Kane dinked home, only for the offside flag to be raised.

After the break Norway were then on the wrong side of a decision themselves, with Torbjorn Heggem's header ruled out by VAR for a foul by Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson in the build-up.

Norway 1-2 England: Match centre
Norway continued to push, with Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer hitting the crossbar.

England stabilised in the latter part of normal time and needed only three minutes of extra time to strike, with Morgan Rogers' speculative effort causing Orjan Nyland to spill the ball into the path of Bellingham, who made no mistake on the rebound.

The Three Lions managed the remainder of the match comfortably, with VAR again intervening when substitute Djed Spence won a penalty, overruling the referee's decision.

England will take on Argentina on Wednesday at 20:00 BST in Atlanta and are now just one game from reaching a first World Cup final since 1966, and a first ever on foreign soil.

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multiple platforms, including This Week's Acca. As well as forming part of that team, he writes regular match previews across a variety of competitions.
Football betting tips: World Cup
1.5pts Draw after 90 mins in France vs Spain at 12/5 (Betfred)

1.5pts Draw after 90 mins in England vs Argentina at 21/10 (Betfred)

0.5pt Draws in both semi-finals at 19/2 (Betfred)

1pt France vs Spain to be decided after penalties at 9/2 (bet365, William Hill)

1pt England vs Argentina to be decided after penalties at 4/1 (bet365)

0.5pt Penalty shootouts in both semi-finals at 27/1 (bet365)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |

Tuesday, 14 July

France 20:00 Spain
Wednesday, 15 July

England 20:00 Argentina
It was hard to watch Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens being consoled by his team-mates on Friday.

His error, just 17 minutes into a World Cup debut triggered by an injury to Thibaut Courtois on his 115th (and likely final) international appearance, gifted Spain's Mikel Merino an 88th-minute winner in a match destined to end 1-1.


Not only was it a gut punch to a Belgium team that had dealt manfully with the loss of captain Youri Tielemans in the warm-up, but to anyone who had backed the quarter-finals Draw Trixie at 54/1.

Shootouts and draws in quarter-finals?
Draws secure 50/1 and 185/1 acca wins
The remaining two last-eight ties went beyond the 90, with Argentina's extra-time win over Switzerland looking like a very good runner to go the distance and be settled by spot-kicks until a moment of madness from Swiss striker Breel Embolo saw him pick up a second yellow card for simulation.

Even then, the holders needed the brilliance of Julian Alvarez in the 112th minute when they appeared to be running out of ideas.


Having gone with this theory in the quarters, I'll stick with it again.

We can look at history for an indication of how likely it is these matches will need end in a DRAW AFTER 90 MINUTES, with seven of 20 (35%) doing so since 1982, and five of those DECIDED AFTER PENALTIES, but with FIFA introducing "tennis style" seeding for this World Cup, we are in uncharted territory.

It is the first time in history the top-four ranked teams in the world have all reached the semi-finals, surely increasing the possibility of it being difficult to split them.

Backing both FRANCE VS SPAIN and ENGLAND VS ARGENTINA in both markets as SINGLES and DOUBLES to appropriate stakes is advised.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates against Morocco
Kylian Mbappe celebrates his goal against Morocco
France are 13/10 favourites to win the first semi-final having breezed through the tournament to this point.

They are yet to be truly tested, though, and their much-heralded attack now face a Spain team who have conceded only one goal, allowing just 0.3 expected goals against (xGA) per game.

England and Argentina have both battled their way to this stage, needing to fight back and use extra time to keep their hopes alive. While the market favours the Three Lions, it's tough to oppose the holders - especially in 90 minutes.