England's Bellingham targets World Cup history after downing Norway
Jude Bellingham's match-winning double against Norway has propelled England into a World Cup semi-final against Lionel Messi's Argentina, placing the 23-year-old at the centre of a potential end to a 60-year trophy drought.
Jude Bellingham scored two goals as England defeated Norway 3-2 in Miami to reach the World Cup semi-finals. The victory continues a tournament where the 23-year-old has shouldered the burden of ending a 60-year wait for a trophy.
Bellingham is the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score at least twice in consecutive knockout games at a single World Cup. He is also the second youngest to achieve this feat. Only a 17-year-old Pelé in 1958 accomplished the same at a younger age.
His influence against Norway extended well beyond the scoresheet. He led England in shots with five, touches in the opposition box with six, duels won with eight and fouls won with four.
Only Erling Haaland matches his versatility at this tournament, with Bellingham joining the Norwegian in scoring with his left foot, right foot and head. This dynamism underscores his status as a complete world-class player.
For European football's institutional stakes, Bellingham's peak form carries significant weight. The Real Madrid midfielder has battled back from shoulder and hamstring injuries that previously sidelined him at his club. He has also overcome a prior exclusion from head coach Thomas Tuchel's England squad.
Tuchel ultimately chose Bellingham's experience over his boyhood friend Morgan Rogers. That decision has paid dividends on the sport's biggest stage.
His tendency to deliver in crucial moments is a defining trait. He famously asked England fans "who else?" after an overhead kick with the clock reading 94 minutes 34 seconds against Slovakia at Euro 2024. England ultimately lost that tournament's final to Spain.
Bellingham now has six non-penalty World Cup goals, matching Gary Lineker's tally from 1986. Of his 12 international goals, nine have come at major tournaments. Five have put England ahead, while two have been equalisers.
England's quest to end a barren run stretching back to Sir Alf Ramsey's victory on 30 July 1966 now hinges on a semi-final in Atlanta. A 39-year-old Lionel Messi, who has scored eight goals and leads Argentina, stands in the way. The winner of this battle of the number 10s will face either Spain or Kylian Mbappe's France in the final.
