· 2 min readIn this Norway vs England match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
The match began exactly as expected: England dominated possession, while Norway looked comfortable without the ball. Their lines stayed compact, the defensive block sat deep, and Haaland was left completely isolated, waiting for either a miracle or a mistake. It was not pretty, but it made sense.
England enjoyed more possession and spent more time in the attacking half, but there was very little genuine creativity. Plenty of passing, very little penetration. And when a game develops like that, one small moment can change everything.
And it did.
In the 36th minute, Norway won the ball back high up the pitch and Ødegaard quickly released Schjelderup. His shot was struck powerfully from a tight angle, almost seeming like the wrong option, yet it was absolutely perfect. The ball clipped the far post before finding the net. Pickford looked caught out, perhaps deceived by the timing. It was a superb goal, one that came from nowhere and completely changed the match.
England looked shaken for a few minutes, but gradually responded with what they had: individual quality.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, in the 45+2nd minute, the ball came in from the left and Gordon found Bellingham on the edge of the box. He controlled it while already preparing his shot, shifted slightly into the right position and finished with real class. A technically excellent strike, not driven with great power, but with perfect precision. It was a deserved equaliser just before the break.
The second half brought changes and a greater attempt from England to increase the tempo, but, interestingly, it was Norway who began to grow into the game. They looked more comfortable, pushed higher up the pitch and no longer defended quite as deep.
Even so, they still lacked the one thing they needed most: a presence in the penalty area. Haaland remained largely anonymous, not because of anything he was doing wrong, but simply because nobody could find him.
Norway’s best opportunity came from a set piece, with Ajer heading against the crossbar following a scramble inside the area. It was the closest they came to taking the lead again.
At the other end, England improved after the substitutions, particularly with the introduction of Saka, who brought unpredictability. They started winning more one-on-one duels and creating more dangerous situations, but the decisive final touch continued to elude them.
And so the match drifted into extra time.
Once again, it was decided by a single detail.
In the 93rd minute, Morgan Rogers tried his luck from distance with a shot that appeared relatively harmless. Nyland made the save, but failed to hold onto the ball, leaving it loose in front of goal. Bellingham reacted quicker than anyone else. More alert than everyone around him, he simply tapped home to make it 2-1. It was not a spectacular goal, but it was a striker’s instinct, scored by someone who remained fully focused until the very last second.
From that point onwards, Norway tried to respond, but without much organisation. It became more about heart than composure. Crosses, long balls and desperate attempts followed, but with Haaland no longer on the pitch during the closing stages, they lost even more of their attacking presence.
Post-match
England progress without producing a memorable performance, but they possess something invaluable: players who deliver in the biggest moments. Bellingham stepped up once again when his team needed him most.
Norway, meanwhile, can leave with their heads held high. They competed well and stayed true to their approach, but they never managed to establish a proper connection with Haaland. Without that, taking the final step becomes incredibly difficult.
