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As the 2026 FIFA World Cup moves into its final stages, we’re going to have several head-to-head titanic clashes, one of which was Saturday’s quarter-final match between England and Norway.
Sure, England – with offensive machines like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham – are always a team to watch, but Norway have been a surprising dark horse.
It is, of course, thanks to the force of nature that is Norwegian Erling Haaland, who has quickly become one of the most popular players in the United States, 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: Angela WEISS and Odd ANDERSEN / AFP))
With so much firepower on the field, there was a good chance that some serious fireworks would ensue.
But the first 20 minutes or so – up until the hydration break – was really just a feel-out, with neither team getting any real, dangerous scoring opportunities.
In the 28th minute, England were awarded a free kick, which Kane drove past the Norwegian wall, but over the crossbar.
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Norway celebrates a goal from Andreas Schjelderup, who opened the scoring against England on Saturday in Miami. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
But in the 46th minute, Norway opened the scoring, with 22-year-old Andreas Schjelderup netting an absolute beauty.
However, the lead did not last that long.
England’s Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring a first-half equalizer 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, equalized with his fifth goal in six games at this World Cup.
England almost took the lead into the dressing room at half-time when Kane found the back of the net minutes later; however, it was ruled offside.
In the early part of the second half, both sides exchanged some scoring opportunities, which included a hard shot that England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had to tip over the bar for a Norwegian corner.
It was cleared, but moments later Norway were awarded another corner which England deflected for another corner.
The third time was (sort of) the charm, and the Norwegians ended up putting the ball in the back of the net, but it was called back due to a foul on Haaland.
This meant that Norway had to repeat the corner, which England managed to defend.
Norway looked dangerous at set-pieces and almost scored another later in the half, only for England to be saved by the crossbar.
England had some late opportunities of their own but neither team could break the deadlock and it was off to extra time.
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In the 93rd minute – who else? – Jude Bellingham gave England their first lead of the game 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.
