England's Comeback Culture Sets Up Messi Showdown
Bellingham's brilliance and gritty wins over Mexico and Norway carry the Three Lions into the semifinals
England advanced to the World Cup semifinals on the back of come-from-behind victories over Mexico and Norway, setting up a showdown with Lionel Messi's Argentina, according to ESPN.
Jude Bellingham has been central to the run, with the BBC reporting his performances at this tournament have him matching records held by some of the World Cup's all-time greats.
The path has not been without friction. Coach Thomas Tuchel voiced frustration with his team's performance even after England's win over Norway, and Bellingham defended his teammates' fighting spirit, saying the squad knows how to "win dirty," according to ESPN.
That quarterfinal victory carried its own controversy. Norway substituted forward Erling Haaland while the match was still competitive, a decision that drew widespread criticism on social media, Fox News reported.
England's belief has been fortified by its comeback wins, ESPN said, as the team now turns its attention to Messi and Argentina in the semifinals.
— Compiled from reporting by ESPN, the BBC and Fox News.