England defeat Norway 2-1 after extra time to reach 2026 World Cup Semi-Finals

The final day of the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals saw a European clash for the ages. England and Norway played a back-and-forth matchup with goals, VAR reviews that took goals away, extra time, and even baffling coaching decisions. But how did both of these nations get to this last-eight matchup?

England began their World Cup on a high, beating Croatia 4-2, but followed it up with a 0-0 draw against Ghana. The Three Lions bounced back on the final day of the group stage, beating Panama 2-0. The knockout rounds would not be a walk in the park for England. They went down to DR Congo in the Round of 32 and needed a late Harry Kane brace to win. Then there was the Round of 16 in the Azteca against Co-host Mexico, where, for the first time, England fans may have legitimately felt Football would be coming home after a 3-2 win. Up next for them was a Norwegian dark horse looking to make history.

Norway came into the World Cup looking like their hair was on fire, winning their first two group games 4-1 over Iraq and 3-2 over Senegal. They rested players for their third group stage contest against France and lost 4-1. The knockout rounds would be a more feel-good story. Norway outlasted the Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 with a 2-1 win, then in the Round of 16, they took down Brazil by the same scoreline. Scoring three of those four goals was striker Erling Haaland, and he did so in the 79th minute or later, sealing both wins. Could he do it against the nation where he plays his club football in his nation's first-ever quarterfinal?  

General view inside the stadium of giant Norway and England flags on the pitch before the match

Marco Bello

World Cup Quarterfinals - Norway vs England

Both nations came into this quarterfinal in steamy Miami in their preferred formations. England played in a 4-2-3-1, looking to stay organized in defense, speed on the wing, and the attacking quality of Bellingham and Kane to get goals. Norway utilized a 4-3-3. They used it to create banks of defenders without the ball, but then, with the ball, Norway looked to play through England to find gaps in behind for Haaland. Early on, it was clear both teams would struggle in the Miami sun.

Norway's Andreas Schjelderup scores their first goal past England's Jordan Pickford

Paul Childs

The first half hour of the match was frantic, back and forth, but no goals were scored. Things changed in the 36th minute when Norway dispossessed Kane in England's half. Most of the England players were moving forward when Kane lost the ball; Norway's Odegaard acted quickly, spraying a pass wide to Schjelderup. He went on a run and hit a shot that seemed more like a cross; however, it sailed over Pickford into England's goal. Norway had a chance to go 2-0 up with a two-on-one break that saw Sorloth have the chance to play Haaland in, but chose to dribble and shot a lame shot at goal. England seemed to wake up after that, finally.

Just before halftime, England would strike to make things level. Norway tried to clear its lines, but the ball fell to England, and they hit fast on the counter. After a few passes, Bellingham took matters into his own feet, dancing past Norwegian defenders and slotting home a perfect shot. The match would be 1-1 going into the second half.

The second half of this match showed just how frantic Norway was. They dominated the first 10 minutes, thinking they had a go-ahead goal from a corner when Heggem tapped it in after an initial save. However, before the corner came in, Haaland shoved an England player to the ground, warranting a re-kick of the corner and no goal. For the rest of the half, England was building in their attacks, but no goal was found, and there would need to be 30 minutes of extra time to decide this game.

England's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates

Mike Segar

It didn't take long for a goal to be scored in extra time. Norway seemed to have no legs going into extra time, and with that came a vital mistake in the 93rd minute. After a sustained bit of English pressure, the Norwegian goalkeeper spilled a big rebound. The Norway backline then watched as Bellingham reacted faster than anyone else, pouncing on the ball in the box and hitting the perfect shot to give England the lead.

Just about six minutes later, England thought they had a chance to go 3-1 up after a penalty was awarded; however, after a VAR review, it was determined that England attacker Spence initiated the contact that led to the PK call. Norway had a lifeline, but it was not long-lived. Just before the end of the first 15-minute period of extra time, Haaland was subbed off. While he was gassed, it seemed as though Norway's chances of tying the game went off the pitch with him.

Norway pushed the ball forward but failed to create a real chance at goal against an England team that frustrated them and played the ball forward as often as possible. The final whistle blew after 120 minutes, and England knew they were on to the Semifinals.

England's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with England's Harry Kane and John Stones

Mike Segar

Norway's magical run at the 2026 World Cup came to an end in the quarterfinal stage. This was already a historic return to the World Cup for Norway, their first since 1998. The 28-year absence is all but forgotten now, since they made their furthest run at a World Cup, reaching the quarterfinals, and have a core of players who can build on this performance in four years' time.

England is off to its fourth World Cup semifinal, and many fans believe that Football will be coming home. One thing that may play a role in that is the fatigue this team will be feeling at the tail end of this tournament. England has traveled almost 11,000 miles throughout this World Cup. Will that play a factor against Messi and Argentina with a spot in the final on the line?

The final week of the 2026 World Cup

It's hard to believe, but we are now in the final week of this historic Men's World Cup. The semifinals are this week, and then the 3rd-place game and the final take place on the weekend. So, who will be lifting the World Cup trophy? Well, it'll be one of the top four teams in the World. Argentina takes on England, and Spain battles France. These mouthwatering matchups now take center stage, as the hype can build with a few days off between games.