Bellingham fires England past Norway into semi-finals as Rice set to return for Argentina clash

Jude Bellingham produced a moment of magic to keep England’s World Cup dream alive, scoring twice – including a poacher’s finish in extra time – to sink Norway 2-1 in the quarter-final at Miami Stadium. The victory sets up a semi-final showdown with Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, a game that could see Declan Rice return to the starting lineup after a sickness scare. It was Norway’s first World Cup quarter-final and they played a full part in a gripping tie, taking the lead through Andreas Schjelderup’s cross-cum-shot that looped past Jordan Pickford. England were in danger of being blown off course until Bellingham struck a brilliant equaliser before half time. Norway were much the better team in the second half, and England gasped as their display was not good enough – but Bellingham capitalised on a momentum shift at the start of extra time. He pounced after Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Håskjold Nyland spilled a shot from substitute Morgan Rogers, moving Bellingham on to six goals in the tournament and into contention for the Golden Boot. Thomas Tuchel’s message had been to release the handbrake and go for it, and Bellingham took him at his word. England nullified the threat of Erling Haaland, who was withdrawn after the first period of extra time. Antonio Nusa saw a shot blocked by Marc Guéhi, and Oscar Bobb lifted high when well placed, but England held on. Now attention turns to the semi-final, where Rice expects to be fit after three days in bed with suspected food poisoning. The Arsenal midfielder managed only 45 minutes against Norway and was clearly below full fitness, but he hopes to train fully to prove his fitness ahead of Wednesday’s match. Tuchel said: “Declan struggled after the last three days where he was most of the time in bed. I knew he could not survive 90 minutes and … there was a possibility that it goes 120, so I didn’t want to waste another change.” Rice is a crucial player under Tuchel, who has made him vice‑captain. England will need him at his best against an Argentina side that awaits in Atlanta. The semi‑final will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 15 July at 19:00 BST.