The China Mail - 'Never in doubt': England fans dare to dream after quarter-final scare

"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 semi-finals.

"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.

Andreas Schjelderup fired Norway into a shock lead in Miami before Jude Bellingham equalised just before half-time.

England then rode their luck when Norway had a second goal disallowed after a VAR review in the second half for a foul by Erling Haaland.

But Bellingham was the hero when he knocked in a rebound to set up a last-four tie with either Argentina or Switzerland on Wednesday.

"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 marketing.

On the other side of the capital some 1,600 fans wearing St George's flag bucket hats packed into the Boxpark bar in 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.

The government had extended licensing hours for hospitality venues across England and Wales until 2:00 am.

The referee blew the whistle, confirming England's progress to the last four, shortly before 1:00 am.

In Camden, north London, fans streamed out of bars, singing, as drivers honked their car horns and cyclists rang their bells.

- 'Hell of a beating' -

Keen football fan Prince William was one of the first public figures to offer his congratulations, 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 semi final... Never in doubt!"

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's official residence of 10 Downing Street was decorated with St George's flags ahead of the match.

Starmer joined the prince in congratulating the team, and referenced Bjorge Lillelien's famous commentary when Norway beat England 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in 1981.

Writing on X, Starmer tagged Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store, writing: "Norway 1 – 2 Jude Bellingham. @JonasGahrStore, your boys took one hell of a beating."

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.

P.Ho--ThChM