England player ratings: This is Bellingham's summer as Kane has an off day
England are through to the World Cup semi-finals after a tense, hard-fought victory over Norway. The 2-1 win in extra time was not pretty, but it got the job done. While the entire country celebrates reaching the final four, the match highlighted a major shift in the team. This tournament is quickly becoming Jude Bellingham’s summer, as the young midfielder once again dragged his team across the finish line on a night when other senior stars struggled to make an impact.
Bellingham was the best player on the pitch by some distance. His energy and maturity in the midfield kept England moving forward when they looked completely out of ideas. He seemed to be everywhere, winning tackles, driving into the opponent’s box, and demanding the ball. It is hard to believe he is still so young when you watch him lead the team with such confidence. When England needed someone to spark them into life during extra time, it was Bellingham who stepped up and showed the world-class quality that is defining his tournament.
On the other hand, Harry Kane had a very difficult evening. The England captain looked off the pace from the very beginning, struggling to get involved in the play and failing to test the goalkeeper. His movement was slow, and his passing was not as sharp as usual. It is rare to see Kane have such a quiet and ineffective performance in a match of this importance, but he simply could not find his rhythm. Thankfully for England, they no longer rely solely on their main striker to win matches, though they will need him back at his best very soon.
As England look ahead to the semi-finals, they can take huge confidence from the fact that they won without playing their best football. Bellingham has proven he can carry the weight of the nation on his shoulders, but the rest of the squad must raise their game. To go all the way and win the cup, England will need a fully firing Kane to support their new midfield superstar. For now, fans can dream, knowing they have an incredible talent leading the charge.