FIFA World Cup 2026: “It’s tough shift”, Bellingham responds to Engla…

Florida [US], July 12 (ANI): England midfielder Jude Bellingham defended his teammates after head coach Thomas Tuchel criticised the team’s performance despite their 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, according to Sky Sports. asg-reflektory.pl

Tuchel had admitted after the match that England were fortunate to progress and said the Three Lions needed to improve ahead of the semifinals.

“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today. The result is fantastic – we’re in the last four – but I’m not happy with the performance. We got lucky today. We need to play better. We will get better, we need to get better," Tuchel said after the match, as quoted by FIFA.

Reacting to those remarks, Bellingham acknowledged the demanding nature of the contest and praised the effort put in by the entire squad.

“Yeah, well. Whatever. Whatever. It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. All the players are putting in a tough shift. So my thoughts and appreciation go to the players who put in a good shift out there," Bellingham said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

Coming to the match, Bellingham fired a brace as England fought back from a goal down to defeat Norway in extra time and seal a place in the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Real Madrid midfielder struck a late equaliser in the first half before netting the decisive goal in extra time to complete a 2-1 comeback victory for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Norway made the brighter start and took the lead in the 36th minute through Andreas Schjelderup, who finished clinically after Erling Haaland had earlier tested England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a header.

England responded just before the break when Bellingham surged forward and calmly slotted home the equaliser. Harry Kane appeared to have put England ahead moments later, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Norway thought they had regained the lead before the hour mark when Torbjorn Heggem found the net, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review, which penalised Haaland for a foul on Elliot Anderson during the build-up.

The Norwegians continued to threaten, with Kristoffer Ajer hitting the crossbar, while England also came close through Djed Spence after a mistake by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, the contest went into extra time.

Bellingham proved the difference, reacting quickest after Nyland spilled a powerful effort from substitute Morgan Rogers to score from close range and send England into the last four.

England will now face either defending champions Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals at Atlanta Stadium on July 15.

Bellingham was named Player of the Match. He and captain Harry Kane have now scored six goals each at the 2026 World Cup, marking the first time two England players have netted at least five goals in a single edition of the tournament.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also achieved a major milestone, making his 18th FIFA World Cup appearance to become England’s most-capped goalkeeper in World Cup history, surpassing Peter Shilton’s previous record of 17 matches.

For Norway, the defeat ended a memorable campaign that included their first-ever appearance in a FIFA World Cup quarterfinal. Their previous best performances had been Round of 16 finishes in 1938 and 1998, alongside a group-stage appearance at the 1994 World Cup. (ANI).

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Reigning champions Argentina produced a hard-fought and inspirational turnaround victory against Switzerland to set-up a semi-final tie against England at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Argentina looked to be in complete control early on and opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Lionel Messi floated in a precise corner kick, allowing the unmarked Alexis Mac Allister to power home a firm header.

However, Switzerland refused to back down and slowly grew into the match. Their hard work paid off in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye beat Emiliano Martínez from close range to secure a well-deserved equalizer.

The momentum shifted entirely in the 72nd minute during a controversial sequence. Swiss forward Breel Embolo went down to win a free-kick, resulting in a booking for Argentina’s Leandro Paredes. However, following a VAR intervention for simulation, the referee reversed the decision, handing Embolo his second yellow card and a subsequent red card instead.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Switzerland fought bravely to push the match into extra time. The decisive blow finally landed in the 112th minute when Julian Alvarez picked up the ball on the edge of the area and curled a spectacular, long-range strike into the top corner.

With Switzerland throwing everyone forward in the dying seconds, Lautaro Martínez finished off a swift counter-attack in the 121st minute to seal the victory and set up a blockbuster semi-final clash against England.

Argentina set to renew rivalry with England

Alfie Haaland appeared to question the officiating after Norway's dramatic World Cup quarter-final defeat to England, posting a pointed five-word message on social media. His reaction came after a match dominated by controversial VAR decisions, including Jude Bellingham's debated equaliser, which FIFA later confirmed was correctly awarded using connected ball technology, before also criticising Norway's attacking decision-making.

England are no longer “Oslo Rans”. More than three decades after the trauma of a defeat in Norway that cost them a place at the 1994 World Cup in the USA, the Three Lions finally gained their revenge, storming into only their fourth World Cup semi-final with a 2-1 extra-time victory.

Jude Bellingham, inevitably, was the inspiration, scoring an equaliser just before half-time before netting an opportunistic winner early in extra time.

There was plenty of controversy throughout, with disallowed goals, disputed decisions and fine margins, but England perhaps deserved their victory after surviving a difficult second half.

England’s gamble to start Declan Rice, who had been battling illness in the days leading up to the match, did not pay off. He and Noni Madueke were both withdrawn at half-time, with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze introduced.

By then, the sides were level at 1-1. Norway had taken the lead when Andreas Schjelderup, starting on the left of their attack in place of Antonio Nusa, cut outside Ezri Konza, England’s makeshift right-back, and unleashed a cross-shot that completely deceived Jordan Pickford before going in off the post. England’s defenders had expected a cross towards Erling Haaland, but Schjelderup deserved full credit for what was one of the goals of the tournament.

England had started brightly but were rocked by the opener. They restored parity before the break with a goal that left the Norwegian bench and goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland furious. They insisted Nyland’s goal-kick had clipped one of the Spidercam wires before dropping to Elliot Anderson. FIFA maintained that the technology embedded in the Adidas match ball had not detected any contact, despite television replays appearing to suggest a slight deviation.

Play continued, Anderson found Anthony Gordon, and Gordon slipped the ball through to Bellingham, whose first touch, movement and finish were of the highest quality.

With Rice struggling, Bellingham was forced into a deeper midfield role, allowing Norway’s midfield pairing of Sander Berge and Patrick Berg to take control. Norway enjoyed most of the possession in the second half but created little. Haaland had fewer touches than any other outfield player and was also responsible for Norway having a goal ruled out, pushing Anderson to the ground before Torbjørn Heggem converted from close range following a corner. After a VAR review, the referee correctly disallowed the effort.

Extra time was played in punishing conditions, with a kick off temperature of 33°C in Miami and humidity making it feel closer to 43°C. The pace inevitably slowed.

Just three minutes into the additional period, Morgan Rogers, on as a second-half substitute, struck from outside the area. Nyland could only parry the effort into the path of Bellingham, who reacted quickest to stretch out a foot and guide the ball into the net.

England were then awarded a penalty when Djed Spence went down under a challenge from Oscar Bobb, but the decision was overturned after a review showed Spence had initiated the contact.

Norway, with Haaland having departed at half time in extra time, could not mount a response despite the efforts of substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen. Their impressive World Cup run came to an end, while England now await either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.

Follow Revsportz for latest sports news

The post Bellingham inspires England past Norway after extra time to set up World Cup semi-final appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.