Could it happen? Is it time to believe?
One step from the final, two steps from ending the years of hurt, the Three Lions now truly believe in their World Cup mission. England head to a semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday full of belief because of their serial match-winner Jude Bellingham and their astute, match-shaping head coach, Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel made adventurous changes when it mattered most, sending on attackers. Fortune favoured the brave. He made intelligent changes, sending on big Dan Burn in extra time to repel Norway’s late aerial threat. Fortune favoured the tall.
Under Tuchel’s guidance, England’s defenders cracked the Norse code, and stopped the service into Erling Haaland, who was eventually taken off, a frustrated figure, unable to escape John Stones or Marc Guehi.
England were disciplined and dynamic. As in the Azteca against Mexico, this was another occasion and performance that will never be forgotten. Under the watchful gaze of two English knights, Mick Jagger and David Beckham, this was a night to remember. From near and far, England fans gathered in the home of the Dolphins, dreaming of further progress.
Their flags signalled all parts and ports of the English pyramid, Macclesfield and Grimsby, Coventry and Portsmouth. Their owners sang, “please don’t take me home”, and the men in white in front of them tried their hardest to extend England’s stay, none more so than Bellingham.
A serious debate can now be had as to whether the 23-year-old from Stourbridge is England’s best international of the past 40 years. Paul Gascoigne, who got England to a World Cup semi-final, was blessed with more natural talent, but Bellingham is more decisive in the crunch moments. Harry Kane will have his supporters, certainly amongst the record-keepers. But Bellingham has become the heartbeat of this England side, and often its saviour.
As in Gelsenkirchen at Euro 2024, and the Azteca last week, Bellingham once again rode to England’s rescue. When the first half of this intense quarter-final looked heading for a demoralising denouement, and England having to troop off disconsolate and trailing, Bellingham lifted the team, lifted the fans.
Two minutes into the added four saw Bellingham take control. Taking a pass inside from Anthony Gordon, Bellingham ran at and past Torbjorm Heggem. His left foot did the rest, sending the ball fast and low past Orjan Nyland. Relief for England. Rancour for Stale Solbakken who threw a bottle to the ground – almost another hydration break – and then had a word with the referee, Clement Turpin. Norway believed the ball hit the wire attached to the spider-cam, leading to England gaining possession. Fifa checked and ruled it hadn’t.
How England needed that rare help from Fifa. How England needed Bellingham. Until then, Martin Odegaard ran the show. Sander Berge calmly screened the obdurate Norway back-four. England laboured hard for no reward for 45 minutes. Conditions were sweltering, bringing sweaty reminders of painful times in Shizuoka 2002, Lisbon 2004, Gelsenkirchen 2006, and Manaus 2014.
Norway soaked up the pressure and hit after 36 minutes. Andreas Schjelderup, the young Benfica winger, cut in from the left and took on Ezri Konsa. Schjelderup sent in a cross, clearly mishit, the ball sailing over the leaping, stretching Jordan Pickford and in.
England were frustrated by the goal, unnerved by the presence of Haaland and opened up by the passing of Odegaard. Alexander Sorloth wasted a great chance to make it 2-0, pausing and letting Nico O’Reilly block. Big mistake.
For then came Bellingham to equalise. On came Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka for Noni Madueke and Declan Rice. Norway, calmly, precisely, sought to reclaim the lead. Haaland’s very obvious push on Elliot Anderson saw Heggem’s effort eventually ruled out.
Norway were in control. Their fans did their row again. Tuchel acted again. Reece James came on for Gordon and went into midfield, allowing Bellingham to return to 10. Eze went left. Norway’s arrivals out wide, Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa, briefly threatened more. Tuchel responded, withdrawing O’Reilly for Djed Spence to do a job on Bobb.
Tuchel’s positive approach to changes then saw him remove Konsa for Morgan Rogers. England’s front six was now: Anderson, who was outstanding, holding; Saka and Eze wide, Rogers and Bellingham as 10s; and Kane 9.
England seemed re-energised in extra time. Rogers had a swift impact, shooting from range. Nyland spilled it, Kane didn’t react, Bellingham did, pouncing. England were ahead.
Spence then ran in from the left, and got his legs in a tangle with Bobb. Turpin initially signalled a penalty, was invited to review it and rightly ruled that Spence had put his leg across Bobb. Up in the smart seats, Alfie Haaland signalled a dive.
Burn came on, England held on, and threatened late on. Atlanta awaits. Belief has arrived.