Jude Bellingham has dragged England to the World Cup semifinals

MIAMI — Jude Bellingham stood in the stifling humidity of Miami with his arms stretched aloft as his second goal put England 2-1 up against Norway in extra time on Saturday. If anyone was going to be England's savior it was going to be Bellingham. Again. For the fourth time in six games at this World Cup he was the difference for England as they edged past Norway to reach the 2026 World Cup semifinals. In the lead up to this World Cup Thomas Tuchel challenged Bellingham publicly on several occasions. Looks like it worked. He has now scored six goals. Bellingham feels football. Players like Bellingham are football. Football is decided by brave players willing to make the difference like Bellingham. All week long England's fans have lauded his display in the last 16 win at Mexico. England's fans spoke about Bellingham and Harry Kane being the difference for England at this tournament. On Saturday it was Bellingham who stood tall. Again. Just like he did against Croatia and Panama and Mexico so far at this tournament, Bellingham dragged England through at key moments. He just never gives up and his drive and spirit typifies this clunky, direct England team. In the first half Bellingham had his hands on his knees, gasping for breath as England's exertions at altitude at the Azteca last Sunday clearly hit them much harder than anybody else thought. It was a sluggish, error-strewn display from England in the intense heat. Jude Bellingham with the equalizer right before half and the England faithful are loving it! ️ (via @TelemundoSports ) pic.twitter.com/38NYP8MzNO — NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 11, 2026 But when England needed him most at the end of the first half Bellingham was of course the player driving into the box to collect a pass from Anthony Gordon, take an exquisite first touch, two more to set up a shot and then smash home to make it 1-1 at a pivotal moment. With England second best for the majority of the second half, at the start of a grueling extra time period it was of course Bellingham who reacted quickest to prod home a loose ball after Orjan Nyland had spilled Morgan Rogers' routine shot from distance. IT'S THE JUDE BELLINGHAM SHOW. HIS 2ND GOAL OF THE MATCH GIVES ENGLAND THE LEAD IN EXTRA TIME. (Via @TelemundoSports ) pic.twitter.com/1Dg5feYZox — NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 11, 2026 Just like Bellingham did against Croatia to put England 3-2 up early in the second half, against Panama to put them 1-0 up and then set up a second five minutes later, and against Mexico as his first half double in two minutes swung the momentum of the game in their favor, he stepped up when England really need it. Bellingham is the spirit of this team. England were awarded a penalty kick in extra time but it was taken away after a VAR review. When that was announced England were deflated. Bellingham was the player swinging his arms in the air to try and jeer on his teammates and the fans. He sensed the moment. A huge rendition of 'Hey Jude!' rang out from the England fans in the second half of extra time after he went down with an injury or probably just tiredness due to the incredible effort he put in. England's fans know how important he has been to their story at this World Cup, and how key he will be in the future. Bellingham was subbed off with nine minutes to go and blew the fans a big kiss as he came off. The love will be coming right back at him from the whole of England, as their driving force from Birmingham has dragged them to the final four.