It was the sort of night that reminded me why we bother with these long tournaments. England found themselves a goal down to Norway in the quarter-final, the Miami heat sapping legs already heavy from a knockout campaign. Then up stepped Jude Bellingham, twice, to drag them into the last four.
The match at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday evening followed a familiar script for this side under Thomas Tuchel. Andreas Schjelderup gave the Scandinavians a 36th-minute lead, punishing some slack defending. England huffed, created little, and looked destined for an early flight home until the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
Bellingham levelled it with a goal that carried the stamp of a player who refuses to accept the obvious outcome. It was direct, forceful, and exactly what the team needed. The equaliser settled nerves and shifted the momentum, even if the second half brought more of the same scrappy fare.
Extra time brings the decisive moment
With the score locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, extra time loomed like another test of character. Bellingham settled it in the third minute of the additional period. Same player, same outcome, different half. England led 2-1 and this time they held on.
The resilience on show spoke volumes. This wasn't a vintage performance full of flair, but it was one built on fight and collective will. Individual quality, particularly from Bellingham, carried the day. In a sport that rewards both systems and standout performers, his contribution underlined the value of nurturing talent through competitive pathways.
It is an unbelievable achievement to reach the semi-finals. Full credit to the team spirit.
Those were the words of manager Thomas Tuchel afterwards, and it is hard to argue. Reaching the last four for the first time since 2018 represents progress, the kind that builds belief. Bellingham was more expansive in his post-match interview.
