England advances to World Cup semi-finals, faces Argentina

By Arjun Nair / 12.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

England secures semi-final spot

England has advanced to the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 victory over Norway in extra time. The match, held in Miami, saw Jude Bellingham score both goals for England. This win sets up a semi-final clash against Argentina.

The game was a hard-fought contest, with England coming from behind to secure their place in the next round. Bellingham’s performance was particularly notable, as he stepped up in crucial moments to lead his team to victory.

Player performances against Norway

Several England players contributed to the win, though some faced challenges. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who became the most-capped England player in World Cups, had an uncertain performance and was caught out by Andreas Schjelderup’s cross for Norway’s opening goal.

In defence, Ezri Konsa delivered a dependable performance at right-back, showcasing his importance to the team. Marc Guehi did well in marshalling Erling Haaland, an impressive feat given he had been nursing a hamstring issue. John Stones also read the game effectively, making a crucial interception, though he was caught on the ball at one point.

Nico O’Reilly, a Manchester City player, showed growing confidence throughout the tournament, performing a complex role as left-back and an attacking option. He was pinned by Alexander Sorloth but avoided punishment as the striker shot over.

In midfield, Elliot Anderson started in an advanced position and initiated the move for England’s first goal. He later shifted to a deeper role. Declan Rice, who had been ill during the week, was moved to the deepest midfield position, possibly to protect the defence, and was substituted at half-time.

Jude Bellingham was a standout performer, scoring both goals and consistently delivering for England throughout the tournament. His form has been a significant factor in the team’s progress.

Wingers Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon had differing impacts. Madueke had early opportunities but did not convert them and was taken off at half-time. Gordon, however, brought energy to the attack and provided the assist for Bellingham’s equaliser.

Captain Harry Kane faced a well-organised Norway defence that denied him space. He had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half and often dropped deep to find the ball.

Substitutions and impact

Substitutions played a role in England’s strategy. Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka were introduced at half-time. Eze was brought on to spark the midfield but later shifted to the left wing. Saka, an Arsenal winger, put in dangerous crosses and made effective defensive tackles.

Later in the game, Reece James came on in central midfield before moving to right-back. Djed Spence was introduced at left-back to counter Oscar Bobb’s threat and provided an attacking outlet, winning a penalty that was later overturned by VAR. Morgan Rogers, an Aston Villa forward, had a shot spilled, leading to Bellingham’s extra-time goal. Dan Burn was brought on in the final minutes to help England see out the match.

A stacked semi-final field

The 2026 World Cup has developed into a compelling tournament, with a strong semi-final lineup. The field now includes France, Spain, England, and Argentina. This marks the first time in World Cup history that the top four teams entering the tournament, according to FIFA’s world rankings, have all reached the semi-finals.

France is ranked first, Argentina second, Spain third, and England fourth. This concentration of highly-ranked teams suggests a competitive and high-quality conclusion to the tournament. England’s upcoming match against Argentina will be shown live on the BBC.

Source: sports.yahoo.com