England are through to the World Cup semi-finals, with Jude Bellingham’s sensational summer carrying on with their 2-1 extra-time win over Norway.
The Three Lions were given another World Cup knockout shock when Norway took the lead through Andreas Schjelderup’s fluke goal. But Bellingham rescued England once again.
The England No 10 scored a stylish equaliser just before half-time to level the game – and after a nervy second half that saw Norway dominate parts of the game – Bellingham crashed home an extra-time winner from close-range.
It is England’s third World Cup semi-final appearance since winning the tournament in 1966, where they will face Argentina or Switzerland in the last four.
But how well did England’s players do against Norway – and what does it mean for the latter stages of the competition?
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England’s fans were jubilant after Jude Bellingham scored his second goal of the game to put them in front in extra time against Norway.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Could he have done better for Norway’s goal? Maybe a bit harsh, as nine times out of ten that flies over. Couple of second half saves, but looked a bit jittery.
Didn’t exactly breathe confidence to his defenders with some ropey moments. But Norway’s Orjan Nyland showed what a real goalkeeper mistake looks like for Bellingham’s winner.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Could he have got out to Schjelderup quicker for the Norway goal? Maybe – but was very solid in the second half. Good in one-on-one defending despite barely playing at right-back, and made a huge intervention to deny Norway a tap-in after they hit the bar in the second half. Taken off after feeling the fatigue.
John Stones – 6
Mixed game. His slack backpass to Pickford allowed Norway to gain momentum in the first half before the opener – but was excellent in stopping two Sorloth counter-attacks by cutting down his angle and blocking the pass path to Haaland.
Marc Guehi – 6
Guehi looked a little shaky – but kept Man City team-mate Haaland quiet
A bit shakier – but probably to be expected given all the rotation around him in this tournament. He came up with a huge block to deny Antonio Nusa in extra-time, while Erling Haaland never really had a golden chance, so England’s centre-backs deserve plenty of credit.
Nico O’Reilly – 6
Had a tough task with the aggressive Alexander Sorloth then Oscar Bobb running at him with fresh legs. Not his influential best before coming off after feeling his hamstring and asking to be substituted.
Elliot Anderson – 7
Elliot Anderson made nine ball recoveries, more than any other England player
Good in the first half, picking up some good areas and tried to make things happen. He found himself overrun at the start of the second half as Tuchel’s midfield lost it’s balance following Declan Rice’s withdrawal. Still led the way with nine ball recoveries for England – three times as many as any other team-mate. Not his best, not his worst
Declan Rice – 5
He has been ill this week and it clearly impacted him in a tough climate. Rightly hooked off at half-time after looking really off-colour. All of his set piece attempts were flat – and when you’re one booking away from a suspension, that half-time withdrawal made sense.
That being said, England struggling at the start of the second half is what you get when Rice isn’t there. He needs to recover quickly.
Jude Bellingham – 9
The star. This is becoming his summer – which is even more impressive given Harry Kane is your team-mate. Two very different goals – a classy finish then a poacher’s one. Also showed that little bit of quality at times to bring England up the pitch.
Winning eight duels – the most of any England player, he really stepped up when so many struggled to.
Noni Madueke – 5
Noni Madueke missed a big opportunity to show what he can do at this level
Failed to take his opportunity and not for the first time this summer. Got given loads of chances by balls out to the right hand side, but did little with it.
Created one half chance for O’Reilly but nowhere near the level required for a World Cup quarter-final. He’s clearly an impact sub – not a starter.
Harry Kane – 5
England’s Harry Kane had an off day
By far his weakest display of the tournament so far. No shot in 90 minutes. Had one decent chance before Bellingham’s winner but substitute Bukayo Saka had more touches in 45 minutes than he managed in 90. Needs to step up for the semi-final. England need him.
Anthony Gordon – 7
England’s best attacker, along with Bellingham. Top for England in terms of dribbles, his constant running down the left gave England a source of attacking fluency – and got his third assist of the tournament for Bellingham’s first.
Perhaps harshly taken off but it was needed for midfield balance. But Gordon’s definitely got his bite back after a slow start to the tournament.
Substitutes
Eberechi Eze – 6
A couple of nice touches after coming on but hardly affected the game. Was on during Norway’s better moments of the game, then moved out to the left which isn’t his strongest area.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Better than Madueke – but in fairness that’s not hard. Had a silky run that nearly led to a golden England chance late on, had a similar moment in the second period of extra-time, where he was unlucky to score. Just seems to have that golden touch that his Arsenal team-mate lacks. Must start in the semi-final.
Reece James – 6
Came on in midfield to help balance a midfield being over-run by Norway. It helped a little but was then moved to right-back. Just over an hour in the tank is positive news ahead of the latter stages of the tournament. Him staying fit eases a lot of defensive woes for England.
Djed Spence – 6
Added that little bit of pace not just down the left, but also in an England defence that was really tiring. Maybe unlucky not to win that penalty after all the hard work – but that energy is a good option for England if they’re to go the distance again.
Morgan Rogers – 7
Forget Rogers or Bellingham – it’s Rogers AND Bellingham. That little ingenuity to have a shot from the edge of the box – when many England players dithered in the final third on the night – made all the difference. Pressed well after coming on and made himself a nuisance, adding just that little bit of energy when England needed it.
Dan Burn – N/A
On for the final ten minutes to shore things up and make a back five. Had two touches. Not quite the athleticism of the Azteca but you can only imagine what Norway’s attackers see and feel when he comes on to close the space even further.
