England player ratings against Norway after Jude Bellingham comes up clutch again with 'Roy of the Rovers' display to reach World Cup 2026 semi-finals

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Jude Bellingham rose to the occasion once more to drag England kicking and screaming to a FIFA World Cup semi-final. This was far from vintage in Miami as Norway kept The Three Lions honest until the very end, but a 2-1 victory after extra time sets up a last-four encounter against Argentina.

Jude Bellingham produced another colossal performance for England

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Thomas Tuchel made changes to the England side who withstood heavy pressure to inflict a milestone 3-2 defeat on Mexico in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup, with John Stones entrusted in central defence to allow Ezri Konsa to cover for the suspended Jarell Quansah at right-back.

This was far from straightforward, but having defended a lead for far longer with 10 men at the Azteca, the withdrawal of Erling Haaland at half-time in extra time emboldened England for the final chapter of this attritional affair.

Earlier, it was Bellingham who cancelled out Andreas Schjelderup's bizarre opener for Norway with a trademark finish to breathe life into England just before the break.

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The hope was that the Real Madrid midfielder's moment of brilliance would ignite the fire in The Three Lions, but a combination of the sweltering Miami heat and Norwegian nous sapped England's energy for large spells of the second period.

Tuchel's side were even given a reprieve when French match official Clement Turpin concurred with his VAR Jerome Brisard that Haaland had pushed the excellent Elliot Anderson in the build-up to Torbjorn Heggem scoring from close range as England struggled to clear a corner. It was a fortunate escape.

This turned into a proper chess match - not least as a result of Tuchel's regular tactical alterations - but having demonstrated a propensity to transform honest Premier League footballers into world-beaters, Bellingham settled this quarter-final with another deadly intervention from close range.

England

Jordan Pickford - 6 - Some will question why it appeared Pickford withdrew his hand as Schjelderup's clear attempt to find Haaland in the centre flew off the inside of his boot and clipped the inside of the far post.

Pickford should not be criticised for what was a fluke goal, but on his landmark World Cup appearance - surpassing Peter Shilton - the occasion seemed to spook him for a period as the routine became anything but. Remembered who he was thereafter with some important punches.

Ezri Konsa - 6 - Might he have got tighter to Schjelderup to stop the cross? Handed the somewhat thankless task of the troublesome right-back berth, Konsa grew into the role. Reece James continues to step up his fitness, but the Aston Villa defender does not deserve automatic dislodging from the side.

Marc Guehi - 6 - When England needed a steady head, just like during the Alamo at the Azteca Stadium in the last 16, Guehi stood up to the task with a typically composed performance during extra time, driving out from the back in possession and always aware of Haaland's threat in behind.

John Stones - 7 - The free agent shook off early edginess. Having been recalled from the start for the first time since the World Cup opener against Croatia, there was a nervous touch that very nearly allowed Haaland clean through on goal. The incident swung the match momentum in Norway's favour before their slightly fortuitous opener, but he more than played his part.

Nico O'Reilly - 6 - Troubled by Alexander Sorloth more than he might have expected, but the versatile Manchester City defender stuck to his task. He made a vital block to prevent the Atletico Madrid forward from scoring a second Norway goal on the counter-attack, when England were on the ropes. Replaced late on in normal time having been tired by Oscar Bobb.

Declan Rice - 5- The deepest midfielder for England, the Arsenal man looked off colour, as you might expect having been segregated from his team-mates in the lead-up to this with a sickness bug. Delivery too often did not beat the first man. Correctly removed at half-time.

Declan Rice found the going tough in Miami

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Elliot Anderson - 8 - The soon-to-be Manchester City midfielder was the one getting up and down the pitch in the first half. Showed his range of passing with an early cross just evading the head of Bellingham, before it was he who started the move which led to the all-important equaliser. Became England's anchor in Rice's absence to display his full repertoire. Whenever England needed him, Anderson was there.

Noni Madueke - 4 - Given the nod ahead of Bukayo Saka, an over-hit cross set the tone to a challenging afternoon where very little came off, barring one enticing low cross that evaded O'Reilly. Offside when in a position to look straight across the Norway backline and miscontrolled another diagonal out of play. Ineffectual and hooked after 45 minutes.

Jude Bellingham - 8 - What a tournament this man is having. Feather-touched to control the cross from Anthony Gordon to tuck away his leveller, just when England needed it. Showed his class to change the mood in Miami. It was his deft dink which sent Harry Kane through for a marginal offside call to prevent the turnaround coming sooner. Johnny-on-the-spot during extra time. England's clutch player, again, serenaded until the end.

Bellingham celebrates his equaliser on the stroke of half-time

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Anthony Gordon - 7 - Has the new Barcelona signing now made the left side of Tuchel's attack his own? Gordon got very little out of the Norway defence - along with his team-mates - during the early exchanges when faced with a low block, but his darting run and pinpoint cross delivered when it mattered to restore parity. This was a collective slog and Tuchel did not hesitate when he tired and was replaced after the break.

Harry Kane - 5 - Came deep in a bid to seek work but, much like Haaland, toiled in the conditions for large parts. After all his heroics at the tournament so far, Kristoffer Ajer kept England's all-time leading goalscorer subdued, but others stepped up, for once.

Substitutes

Eberechi Eze - 6 - Tuchel likes Eze, as shown by him being thrown into the bear-pit in front of Reece James and Kobbie Mainoo when it was clear Rice was in no fit state to continue. Was repositioned on the left wing when James was brought into the midfield in order to free Bellingham, then moved more central when Morgan Rogers entered the fray. The ultimate utility man.

Bukayo Saka - 7 - Replaced Madueke at the interval in normal time. Showed glimpses of his Arsenal best as he cut inside to see a shot blocked. A brilliant slaloming run deserved a final product by Kane and Eze seemed caught on their toes. Provided as much tracking back as going forward. His mere presence elevated England.

The feeling is that Bukayo Saka's World Cup is only just starting

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Reece James - 6 - Replaced Gordon after the second-half hydration break in a tactical tweak not many saw coming, but a necessary one as England regressed during the third 'quarter'. Moved to his more conventional position after Konsa's withdrawal. Improved after an anxious beginning.

Djed Spence - 7 - Entered adorning the protective face mask after suffering a broken jaw late in the Premier League season with Tottenham Hotspur, Spence played with an abundance of courage down England's left flank. He removed the gear, and grew in strength. His willingness to press very nearly drew the error from Orjan Nyland as he struggled to clear his lines.

Was unfortunate not to win a penalty when Turpin overturned an on-field decision to award a spot-kick when adjudged to have instigated contact inside the box. But was he not just protecting the ball?

Morgan Rogers - 7 - Replaced Konsa late on as James moved to right-back. "It's Rogers from distance..." preempted ITV commentator Sam Matterface. With how this Trionda ball moves, why not? It swirled and it caught Nyland off guard. Bellingham followed it in to win the lottery.

Dan Burn - 7 - Came on for Bellingham in the second half of extra time as Tuchel went to five at the back. The Newcastle defender might have expected a tussle with Haaland, but his night was already over by the time of his introduction. He played his part with some colossal headed clearances, supping on his bread and butter at the death.

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