BREAKING: England March into World Cup Semi-Finals as Bellingham Bags Brace to Defeat Norway

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17 hours ago

July 12, 2026

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BREAKING: England March into World Cup Semi-Finals as Bellingham Bags Brace to Defeat Norway—-Jude Bellingham scored twice, including the extra-time winner, as England fought back from a goal down to beat Norway 2-1 in Miami and book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals.

England booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Jude Bellingham produced another match-winning display, scoring twice in a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in a thrilling quarter-final at Miami Stadium.

Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated possession during the opening stages but were stunned in the 36th minute when Norway struck against the run of play. Andreas Schjelderup latched onto a loose ball before drilling a powerful effort that clipped the far post on its way into the net, giving the Scandinavian side a surprise lead. Despite England’s control of the ball, Norway’s disciplined defending and dangerous counter-attacks left the Three Lions frustrated.

England found a lifeline just before halftime through Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder timed his run perfectly into the penalty area before firing home from close range in first-half stoppage time, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1 and restoring belief among the England players and supporters.

The second half developed into an end-to-end contest. Norway thought they had regained the lead when Torbjørn Heggem found the back of the net, only for VAR to disallow the goal after Erling Haaland was adjudged to have fouled Elliot Anderson during the build-up. England also had a penalty appeal overturned after another VAR review, ensuring the tie remained deadlocked at the end of 90 minutes.

Just three minutes into extra time, Bellingham delivered the decisive moment. Morgan Rogers unleashed a fierce long-range effort that Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland could only parry into the path of the England midfielder, who reacted quickest to smash home the rebound and complete his brace. The goal proved enough to settle a fiercely contested encounter and send England into the last four.

Norway refused to give up and continued to threaten through Martin Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth and Haaland, but England’s defence stood firm during the closing stages to preserve the lead. The victory marks England’s fourth semi-final appearance in their last five major international tournaments and keeps alive hopes of winning a first World Cup since 1966.

While England celebrated another memorable knockout triumph, manager Thomas Tuchel admitted his side were below their best despite progressing. The German coach praised his players’ resilience but insisted significant improvements would be required ahead of a mouth-watering semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland.

Bellingham’s latest match-winning performance also took his tournament tally to six goals, drawing him level among the competition’s leading scorers and further cementing his reputation as one of the standout players of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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BREAKING: Argentina Beat Stubborn Switzerland 3-1 After Extra Time to Set Up England Semi-Final Showdown

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JUST IN: After 56 Days in Captivity, Ogbomoso Pupils and Teachers Regain Freedom, Presidency Confirms

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BREAKING: Argentina Beat Stubborn Switzerland 3-1 After Extra Time to Set Up England Semi-Final Showdown

Published

14 hours ago

July 12, 2026

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BREAKING: Argentina Beat Stubborn Switzerland 3-1 After Extra Time to Set Up England Semi-Final Showdown—-Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez struck in extra time after Alexis Mac Allister’s early opener as Argentina overcame a resilient Switzerland to book a blockbuster World Cup semi-final against England.

Argentina booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after overcoming a stubborn Switzerland 3-1 following extra time in a fiercely contested quarter-final at Kansas City Stadium.

The reigning world champions made the perfect start when Alexis Mac Allister headed home Lionel Messi’s inch-perfect corner in the 10th minute, giving Argentina an early advantage and recording Messi’s 10th World Cup assist—a new tournament record. Switzerland, however, refused to buckle and gradually grew into the contest, frustrating Lionel Scaloni’s side with disciplined defending and swift counter-attacks.

Switzerland’s persistence was rewarded in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye latched onto a flowing attacking move to fire past Emiliano Martínez and level the score at 1-1. The equaliser stunned the South Americans and breathed fresh life into the Swiss, who sensed an opportunity to reach their first-ever World Cup semi-final.

The match took another dramatic turn in the 72nd minute when Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, reducing Switzerland to 10 men for the remainder of the contest. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Murat Yakin’s men defended heroically, forcing Argentina into extra time.

Argentina’s pressure finally paid off in the 112th minute. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel parried Lionel Messi’s powerful effort, but Julián Álvarez reacted quickest to smash the rebound into the roof of the net and restore Argentina’s lead. With Switzerland pushing desperately for another equaliser, the defending champions delivered the knockout blow in stoppage time of extra time when Lautaro Martínez raced onto a through ball before calmly slotting past Kobel to seal a 3-1 victory.

The victory keeps Argentina’s dream of successfully defending their World Cup crown alive and sets up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with England, who earlier defeated Norway 2-1 after extra time thanks to a brace from Jude Bellingham. The showdown between two of international football’s heavyweights is expected to be one of the marquee fixtures of the tournament.

Switzerland exit the tournament with their heads held high after pushing the defending champions to the limit. Their disciplined performance and fighting spirit once again underlined why they have become one of the most difficult teams to break down in international football, but Argentina’s superior quality eventually proved decisive in extra time.

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JUST IN: After 56 Days in Captivity, Ogbomoso Pupils and Teachers Regain Freedom, Presidency Confirms

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2 days ago

July 10, 2026

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JUST IN: After 56 Days in Captivity, Ogbomoso Pupils and Teachers Regain Freedom, Presidency Confirms—-The Nigerian Presidency has confirmed that all pupils and teachers abducted during the May 15 attack on schools in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have regained their freedom following coordinated rescue operations by security agencies.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development on Friday via his official X account, stating that the victims had been successfully rescued after spending weeks in captivity.

The mass abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed men riding motorcycles and dressed in military camouflage stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The attackers invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele, firing gunshots to create panic before whisking away dozens of pupils and teachers.

Among those kidnapped were children as young as two years old, alongside at least seven teachers, in one of the most shocking school abductions recorded in Nigeria’s southwest region.

The assailants reportedly marched their captives into the forests surrounding Old Oyo National Park, an area increasingly associated with the activities of armed criminal groups. The incident triggered widespread fear across affected communities, forcing schools to close indefinitely as worried parents withdrew their children from classrooms.

The abduction sparked national outrage, with civil society organizations, activists, celebrities, and concerned citizens demanding urgent intervention from authorities. The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) also declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State, insisting on stronger security measures to protect schools and educational workers.

In response, a joint security operation involving the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, police personnel, and local hunters was launched. Security operatives reportedly engaged the kidnappers in a series of confrontations as efforts intensified to secure the safe return of the victims.

The successful rescue marks the end of a traumatic ordeal that gripped Oyo State and drew attention to the persistent threat of school abductions in parts of the country. Families, community leaders, and education stakeholders have welcomed the development, while calls continue for improved security around schools to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Presidency has yet to release full details of the rescue operation, but the announcement has brought relief to families and communities who endured weeks of uncertainty following the abduction.

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