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As the 2026 FIFA World Cup progresses into its final stages, we’re going to get more downright titanic clashes, and one of them was Saturday’s quarterfinal match between England and Norway.
Sure, England — with the likes of 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 Norway’s 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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With so much firepower on the pitch, there was a good chance that there was going to be some serious fireworks.
However, the first 20-plus minutes or so — up to the hydration break — were really just a feeling-out process with neither team getting any real, dangerous scoring opportunities.
In the 28th minute, England was awarded a free kick, which Kane drove past the Norwegian wall, but up over the crossbar.
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But in the 46th minute, Norway opened the scoring, with 22-year-old Andreas Schjelderup netting an absolute beauty.
The lead didn’t last too long, though.
In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Jude Bellingham, the hero of the Three Lions’ gutsy win in Mexico City over Mexico, evened things up with his fifth goal in six matches at this World Cup.
England nearly took a lead into the locker room at the half when Kane found the back of the net just minutes later; however, it was ruled to be offside.
In the early part of the second half, both sides exchanged some scoring opportunities, which included a tough shot that English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had to tip over the crossbar for a Norwegian corner.
That one was fended off, but moments later Norway was awarded another corner, which England deflected out for another corner.
The third time was (kind 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.
That meant Norway had to retake the corner, which England managed to defend.
Norway looked dangerous on set pieces and nearly scored on another one later in the half, only for England to get bailed out by the crossbar.
England got some late opportunities of their own, but neither team could break the tie, 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 match, and that was all they needed.
England held on and will play the winner of Saturday evening’s match between Argentina and Switzerland as they continue their quest for their first World Cup title since 1966.
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