Attentive Scaloni: England defeated Norway 2-1 in extra time and could be the opponent of the Argentine National Team in the semifinals

In an intense and changing match, after leveling 1-1 in regular time, England defeated Norway 2-1 in extra time and qualified for the semifinals, where they could face the Argentine National Team.

The duel began without much to highlight, with an English side controlling possession, although without danger in the final third, and a Norwegian team that would not suffer, but also would not be comfortable with the flow of the game. In this context, nothing remarkable would happen until the 35th minute, when in their first opportunity, the Nordics would score 1-0. After a recovery in the midfield, Martin Ødegaard would pass to Andreas Schjelderup, who would slot it into the right corner to put his team ahead.

From that goal, the players coached by Ståle Solbakken would be encouraged to go for more, taking advantage of their opponent's shock, with some promising chances like a shot from Alexander Sørloth that would go over, an attempt by Ødegaard saved by Jordan Pickford, and an approach from Sørloth himself that he could not resolve in the box.

Although it would take them time to react, the "Three Lions" would manage to respond and equalize just before the end of the first half: at the 41st minute, from the left flank, Anthony Gordon would pass to Jude Bellingham, who would burst into the area and with a cross shot would beat Ørjan Nyland to make it 1-1. They would even manage to take the lead before the break, thanks to Harry Kane, but his goal would be disallowed for offside.

In the second half, Norway would return to the field with renewed energy and quickly let England know. In just a few minutes, they would create some risky opportunities, including a header from Erling Haaland saved by Pickford in the 52nd, but the most important chance would come moments later. At 54, after a series of rebounds in the area following a corner, Torbjørn Heggem would just push it into the net to score 2-1, however, his conversion would not be validated due to a prior foul by Haaland on Elliot Anderson.

With their momentum still intact, even despite the second hydration break, the "Vikings" would come very close to a second goal: at 75, Kristoffer Ajer would deflect a shot from substitute Fredrik Aursnes with his head and the ball would hit the crossbar and, with a bit of suspense, would go out after a Haaland attempt.

Despite maintaining their intensity, the Norwegians would gradually lose power, leaving more space for the English, who could finally breathe a little in the second half and create their own chances to secure the victory. One of them would be a great play down the right flank by substitute Bukayo Saka, who, after shaking off his markers, would attempt to connect with fellow substitute Eberechi Eze, but the ball would be providentially cleared by Aursnes. With nothing more to salvage, the match would go to extra time.

As soon as extra time began, Thomas Tuchel's side would put the hard-fought 2-1. Just moments later, a great save with a changed hand from Nyland to a header from Kane, at 93 the Norwegian goalkeeper would respond once again to a venomous long-range shot from substitute Morgan Rogers, however, he would leave a rebound that Bellingham would capitalize on to turn the game around.

And it wouldn't end there, as minutes later they would get a golden opportunity to extend the lead; a penalty. At 98, substitute Oscar Bobb would bring down fellow substitute Djed Spence in the area, but after a VAR review, the referee would overturn his decision.

In the second extra time, the British, although tired, would continue to create danger in the goal of a Nyland who would still keep his team's hopes alive. An example of this would be seen at 109, with a double save, first to a shot from Spence and then to one from Saka.

Despite dominating the final stretch of the match, Norway would not manage to take the game to penalties, ultimately ending in victory for the English.

With this result, England advanced to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the clash between Argentina and Switzerland, next Wednesday, July 15 at 20:00 (Argentina time) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.