England have successfully navigated their way into the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, following a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory against Norway in Miami. The Three Lions, under manager Thomas Tuchel, had to come from behind after Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring for Norway, setting up a tense encounter at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Jude Bellingham once again proved to be England's talisman, netting a controversial equaliser before half-time to bring the score level at 1-1. With neither side able to break the deadlock in regular time, the match proceeded to extra-time. It was Bellingham who seized the initiative early in the additional period, following up on a shot to secure England's lead. The Three Lions then held on to their advantage, booking their place in the tournament's final four.
This latest win marks England's progression through a challenging knockout stage. Their journey to the semi-finals has seen them overcome DR Congo 2-1, and then Mexico with a 3-2 victory, before their quarter-final triumph over Norway. Their group stage performances included a 4-2 win against Croatia, a 0-0 draw with Ghana, and a 2-0 victory over Panama, which saw them top their group and qualify for the knockout rounds.
A formidable challenge now awaits England in the semi-finals, as they prepare to face Argentina. The South American giants secured their spot after a dramatic extra-time win over Switzerland in their own quarter-final clash. The highly anticipated semi-final fixture is scheduled for Wednesday, 15 July, with kick-off at 8pm BST (3pm ET) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The upcoming match against Argentina represents a significant test for Thomas Tuchel's squad, as they aim to reach the World Cup final. The performances of key players, particularly Jude Bellingham, will be crucial as England seeks to continue their impressive run in the tournament and potentially emulate or surpass previous World Cup achievements.