Jude Bellingham was the hero as England edged past Norway in extra-time to set up a World Cup semi-final showdown with Argentina. The Three Lions needed a double from the Real Madrid midfielder to overcome Erling Haaland's side, but the win was overshadowed by a war of words between Bellingham and manager Thomas Tuchel, as well as VAR and spider cam controversies.
England Overcome Norway in Extra-Time
England trailed to Andreas Schjelderup's opener before Bellingham struck twice to secure a 2-1 victory. The win was far from convincing, with Thomas Tuchel's side struggling to break down a stubborn Norwegian defense. Erling Haaland failed to add to his goal tally in a disappointing performance.
Tuchel and Bellingham Exchange Words
After the match, England boss Thomas Tuchel became involved in a fiery exchange with ITV's Gabriel Clarke, expressing frustration at his team's attitude. Bellingham responded to his manager's remarks, praising his teammates and highlighting the differences between playing and managing. The exchange has sparked debate about the team's dynamics ahead of the semi-final.
VAR and Spider Cam Controversy
Norway's bench was left furious after claiming that the ball hit one of the spider cam cables in the build-up to Bellingham's equaliser. The incident added to a night of controversy, which also saw a red card in the Argentina vs Switzerland match.
Argentina Advance After Red Card Drama
Argentina secured their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland after extra-time. The match was turned upside down at 1-1 when Breel Embolo received a second yellow card after VAR intervened. Leandro Paredes was initially cautioned for a challenge on Embolo, but the striker was found to have taken a dive, leading to his dismissal. Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez scored for the reigning champions.
Erling Haaland's Father Outburst
Erling Haaland's father, Alfie, made headlines for allegedly labelling Djed Spence a diver and hurling obscenities towards the pitch during Norway's loss. He also took to social media platform X in the early hours of Sunday morning to suggest Norway were 'robbed'.
Semi-Final Line-Up Confirmed
The semi-final line-up is now set. England will face Argentina on July 15 in Atlanta (8pm kick-off), while France take on Spain on July 14. The winners will meet in the final.
