13/07/2026

SPORTS MONDAY | JULY 13, 2026

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2026 WORLD CUP

‘You don’t know what it’s like’

We put Norway on the map: Haaland

that it’s possible to be one of the biggest football nations in the world.” Bellingham and Haaland spent two seasons together as teammates at Borussia Dortmund and remain close friends – he said England were lucky to have the Real Madrid midfielder. “We had so much fun together and I’m not surprised that he scores two goals today and performs the way he does,” added Haaland. “I think he’s one of the best in the world and he’s a mid fielder. He still scores goals, he still manages to dribble every single player on the field. “It’s just praise for Jude, I think he’s unbelievable. England is lucky

ERLING HAALAND said Norway’s World Cup perform ances had inspired a new generation despite the disap pointment of a 2-1 quarterfinal defeat to England after extra time yesterday. Haaland failed to score for the first time in 15 competitive games for his country in Miami as Jude Bellingham’s double fired England into the last four. The Manchester City striker had scored seven times in his four games at a major inter national tournament to carry Norway to the quarter-finals in their first World Cup for 28 years. That run included eliminat ing Brazil in the last 16 as Haaland struck twice to knock out the five-time winners. “How we put Norway on the map is maybe one thing that touches me the most,” said Haaland. “Hopefully now we can establish something when it comes to Euros, World Cups and everything because our generation is amazing and also all this gives motivation to young people back in Norway that it’s possible to play a big stage in the world with a Norwegian shirt.” Haaland’s brand as a global superstar has soared in recent weeks with waves of new American fans taking to his affable off-field personality as well as his goalscoring prowess. He is hoping Norway can build on their success in the United States to become a powerhouse in the coming years. “It’s kind of difficult to take in this kind of a show or roller coaster that we’ve been in now for the last six weeks,” added the 25-year-old. “I think this changes Norway, I think it changes me. I’ve said it many times, we’re building on something in Norway. “It’s about maintaining this because again we’ve shown

Bellingham hits back at Tuchel criticism after win over Norway

BY JONATHAN VEAL

J UDE BELLINGHAM hit back at boss Thomas Tuchel’s damning analysis of England’s performance in their 2-1 World Cup quarterfi nal win against Norway and called for positivity. Bellingham was the star of the show with two goals as England over came the extreme Miami heat to come from behind, banking his fourth man of the match award from six games. Tuchel’s side had to do it the hard way against the Scandinavians, requir ing extra-time to eventually book their fourth World Cup semifi nal, and the

match comments were praised by sev eral former England players. “Over the years, we might have had someone come out and say that we stuck together and we were brilliant,” former England captain Alan Shearer told BBC Sport . “You have to give him (Tuchel) credit for doing it – he was having none of that. England had to suffer, particularly in the second half,” added Shearer. “When Tuchel speaks about men tality, (he is talking about) the way they found a way to get back into the game, the way they found a way to keep going, they have had to scrap again, because they weren’t brilliant at times in that second half. “But they are made of tough stuff. They have proven it once again by get ting to the semifinal.” Wayne Rooney, who scored 53 goals in 120 England appearances, said England’s German boss was “spot on in terms of the mentality”. Rooney said the team showed character as Ezri Konsa went off injured and Declan Rice, who had been a doubt due to injury in the days before the game, was replaced at the start of the second half. “The character of the players has got them through that game because for large parts of that game Norway were the better team,” he added. Rooney also praised their resil ience, adding: “We’re all delighted that England have got through but the per formance wasn’t great. However, they found a way. “I love that interview (from Thomas Tuchel). I thought he was spot on in terms of the mentality. It’s about get ting through to the semifinals. They’ve done their job tonight.” Meanwhile, former England defender Matt Upson told BBC Sport : “It felt that (with) 25 minutes left before the end of the 90, Norway were going to win this game.” – The Independent/Agencies

German said he was “not happy with the performance”. The Real Madrid star did not take that lying down and challenged his manager’s view. “Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, (Martin) Odegaard, (Antonio) Nusa, (Alexander) Sorloth. “That’s not an easy team to play against. So, I think we’ve tried to create a positive environment. We should continue that going into the final four. I can’t speak highly enough of the lads. “You’re not going to win every game, popping the ball and making a thousand passes. Sometimes you have to win dirty, and we’ve done that again tonight.” Tuchel responded to Bellingham’s com

because everybody would want a Jude in the team.” Despite Norway needing a goal, Haaland was substi tuted at halftime in extra time as he struggled to cope with the searing Miami heat. Norway boss Stale Solbakken said his only regret was possibly not taking off his talisman sooner. “It was not a

ments and insisted there is no discon nect between him and the players. “Absolutely, no one disputes that. I am impressed with the shift that they put in,” he said, referring to play ing in searing heat. “The effort, team spirit, the belief and to overcome adver sity and to dig in and find ways to win is on the abso lutely highest level. They cannot get enough praise for that. “But I’m also a football coach and I think we can play bet ter. In general, I think it was not a high-level game. I think we had better games in gen eral.” Tuchel’s post

tough decision to take him out because he was finished and maybe I should take him out before,” said Solbakken. “We used all his energy and power for game after game. He also got a dead leg in the second half, so that com

bined with the fatigue – he did everything he could. “He scored seven goals in five games for us. A fantastic World Cup.” – AFP

Norway’s Erling Haaland (left) and England’s Jude Bellingham embrace after the World Cup quarterfinal match at the Miami Stadium yesterday. – AFPPIC

Alfie blames referee

England fans dare to dream after quarterfinal scare JOYOUS – and relieved – England fans

BY WILL CASTLE

head wire”. But after half-time, Norway were left feeling hard done by once again. Stale Solbakken’s side thought they had restored their lead as Torbjorn Heggem forced home from a corner, only for VAR to inter vene. England also felt the hard side of VAR throughout the match, with Harry Kane seeing his foul appeals fall on deaf ears for Norway’s opener, before the Three Lions had a penalty overturned in extra-time. Solbakken, expressing his immense pride of his side following their exit, was in no mood to look for excuses after full-time. “There are many situations today. And, well, maybe we have been looking at many of them in the World Cup, so these things happen. We just want to wish England the best of luck,” he said. – The Independent/Reuters

Wembley, northwest London. Overjoyed fans sang the Beatles’ hit Hey Jude and Three Lions , with its famous chorus of “It’s coming home.” “I had hopes but after the first goal went in from them, I started doubting things, but I always believe,” 31-year-old fan Fabian Maddix told the Press Association . Keen football fan Prince William was one of the first public figures to offer his con gratulations, writing on social media: “Well done England! Top performance in a tough environment.” “This is a special team. Commiserations to a proud Norway team. Onto the semifinal… Never in doubt!” Back outside the south London bar, 32 year-old Henry Freestone was predicting that England would reach their first World Cup final since they won the tournament in 1966. “I think we’re getting to the final, and who knows what happens? Hopefully we go all the way,” he told AFP .

ERLING HAALAND’S father has put blame on the referee after Norway were knocked out of the World Cup by England. Eager not to diminish Jude Bellingham’s superb individual per formance while also expressing his dismay at referee Clement Turpin, former Manchester City midfielder Alfie Haaland took to X and posted: “Well done Bellingham and referee.” In the build-up to Bellingham’s lev eller, Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland’s goal kick appeared to touch a cable above the Miami Stadium, leading the ball to drop out of the air to Elliot Anderson who sparked the move England scored from. Fifa said no mistake was made despite the apparent change in tra jectory of the ball, citing its “snicko” technology which provided “no evi dence the ball touched the over

chanted and cheered in packed-out pubs across London as they celebrated their team’s nail-biting quarterfinal win over Norway at the World Cup yesterday. “Classic England,” 32-year-old Olly Aleksejuk told AFP after watching his team come from a goal down to eke out a 2-1 victory following extra time to progress to the semifinals. “I would like it to be easier!” said the IT worker, one of several hundred people who watched the game on a screen set up outside a bar in south London. “You just know he’s going to pull through,” 30-year-old Lucy Bickley told AFP at the bar in south London, referring to Bellingham. “It’s almost like you don’t have to worry about it. You know he’ll be like, ‘yeah, it’s fine, chill out’,” added Bickley, who works in mar keting. On the other side of the capital some 1,600 fans wearing St. George’s flag bucket hats packed into the Boxpark bar in