Jude Bellingham #10 of England is congratulated by Erling Haaland #9 of Norway after the 2-1 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) (Image: Patrick Smith – FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
While they were opponents on the field last night, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland’s bond stretches well beyond football – and they demonstrated it with a playful exchange before kick-off.
England secured their spot in the semi-finals after defeating Norway at Miami Stadium, with Jude Bellingham netting twice as the match entered extra time.
The Three Lions will now take on Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday, with kick-off at 8pm BST.
Before the quarter-final commenced, Bellingham was seen greeting his former Borussia Dortmund colleague in the tunnel.
The Real Madrid star wished Haaland luck before delivering a cheeky pat on the backside, a hug and a smile.
The duo spent two seasons together at Dortmund between 2020 and 2022 and have stayed close mates despite parting ways, with Haaland joining Manchester City and Bellingham transferring to Real Madrid.
The heartwarming moment swiftly captured the attention of football supporters on social media, with numerous people applauding the pair for demonstrating that friendships can transcend rivalries.
One supporter said: “I love their relationship.”
Another added: “They have a brilliant friendship – it’s great to see!”.
A third wrote: “Good bit of banter.”
One more commented: “Good friendship and good sportsmanship… that’s what it’s all about.”
Another user added: “Even though he lost, he was happy for his friend at the end.”
England set for World Cup semi-final against Argentina – need to know:
- England will face Argentina in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final clash at 8pm on Wednesday July 15 in Atalanta.
- The Three Lions secured their spot after coming from behind to beat Norway thanks to a Jude Bellingham brace, while Argentina saw off Switzerland courtesy of Julian Alvarez’s wonderstrike in extra-time.
- The mouthwatering encounter rekindles one of football’s greatest rivalries, with their last competitive meeting coming in 2002 when David Beckham scored the winner from the penalty spot.
- That came four years after Beckham’s infamous sending off in Saint Etienne in 1998, when Argentina won on penalties to dump Glenn Hoddle’s England out of the tournament.
- Both teams have struggled for top form at this World Cup, with Thomas Tuchel calling out England’s performance after the Norway win, while Argentina needed extra-time to overcome Cape Verde and mounted a monumental comeback against Egypt.
- The winner will face either Spain or France in the final, with the possibility of a repeat of the Qatar showpiece between France and Argentina four years ago.