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As the 2026 FIFA World Cup moves into its final stages, we will have more frankly titanic showdowns, and one of them was Saturday’s quarter-final match between England and Norway.
Sure, England (with offensive machines like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham) is always a team to watch, but Norway has been a surprise dark horse.
Of course, that’s thanks to the force of nature that is Norwegian Erling Haaland, who has quickly become one of America’s most popular players, and the feeling is mutual.
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Much of the pre-match attention focused on two of the sport’s biggest stars, England’s Harry Kane and Norway’s Erling Haaland. (Photo by Angela WEISS and Odd ANDERSEN / AFP))
With so much firepower on the field, there was a good chance there would be some major fireworks.
However, the first 20 minutes or so, until the hydration break, were really just a scouting process in which neither team had any real, dangerous scoring opportunities.
In the 28th minute, England received a free kick, which Kane beat the Norwegian barrier, but went over the crossbar.
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Norway celebrates Andreas Schjelderup’s opening goal against England on Saturday in Miami. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
But in the 46th minute, Norway opened the scoring, with a goal of absolute beauty from 22-year-old Andreas Schjelderup.
However, the advantage did not last long.
England’s Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring a first half equalizing goal against Norway. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Jude Bellingham, the hero of the Three Lions’ brave victory in Mexico City over Mexico, leveled matters with his fifth goal in six games at this World Cup.
England almost took the lead in the locker room at the half when Kane found the back of the net minutes later; however, it was ruled offside.
In the early part of the second half, both teams exchanged some scoring opportunities, which included a hard shot that England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had to deflect over the crossbar from a Norwegian corner.
This was denied, but moments later Norway received another corner, which England diverted for another corner.
The third time was (more or less) the charm, and the Norwegians ended up putting the ball in the back of the net, but it was canceled due to a foul on Haaland.
That meant Norway had to retake the corner, which England managed to defend.
Norway looked dangerous from set pieces and came close to scoring on another later in the half, only for England to be saved by the crossbar.
England had some late chances, but neither team could break the tie and it went to extra time.
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In the 93rd minute, who else? – Jude Bellingham gave England their first lead of the match, and that was all they needed.
England held on and will play the winner of Saturday night’s match between Argentina and Switzerland as they continue their quest for their first World Cup title since 1966.
