England midfielder Jude Bellingham has written his name into World Cup history after becoming only the seventh player to score two braces in consecutive knockout matches at the tournament.
The Real Madrid star achieved the milestone on Saturday after scoring twice in England’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over Norway, a result that secured the Three Lions‘ place in the semi-finals.
Bellingham’s double turned the match in England’s favour and ended Norway’s hopes of reaching the last four. England will now face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday as they continue their pursuit of a second global title.
The 2026 tournament has been a remarkable one for Bellingham, who has produced decisive performances throughout the knockout stages.
The midfielder had already scored twice in England’s last-16 victory over Mexico, before repeating the achievement against Norway in the quarter-finals.
That run has placed him among an exclusive group of players who have managed to score multiple goals in consecutive knockout games at the World Cup.
Bellingham is the seventh footballer in history to achieve the feat, joining some of the biggest names ever to appear on the international stage.
The previous players to score braces in successive World Cup knockout matches include Italy’s Silvio Piola in 1938, Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis in 1954, Brazil legend Pele in 1958 and Garrincha in 1962.
Argentina icon Diego Maradona also achieved the milestone in 1986, while France forward Kylian Mbappe became the most recent player before Bellingham to complete the record during the 2022 tournament.
Bellingham’s achievement places him alongside those historic figures just two years after Mbappe became the sixth player to reach the mark.
The England midfielder’s influence has been central to his team’s progress in the competition, with his goals proving decisive in two important knockout victories.
His latest performance against Norway helped England overcome a difficult challenge and move one step closer to a potential World Cup final appearance.
The 2026 tournament has continued to enhance Bellingham’s growing reputation as one of the world’s leading players.
At club level, the 25-year-old has established himself as a key figure for Real Madrid, and his performances for England have further strengthened his status on the international stage.
With a semi-final meeting against Argentina now ahead, Bellingham will have another opportunity to add to his growing list of achievements.
Victory against Argentina would send England into the World Cup final and give Bellingham the chance to compete for the biggest prize in international football.
For now, his back-to-back knockout braces have secured his place among a select group of World Cup legends, a list that includes some of the most celebrated names in the history of the game.
