What is England’s semi-final record? History beckons as Norway victory sets up Argentina World Cup clash | OneFootball

England will play Argentina in their fourth World Cup semi-final after securing a 2-1 win over Norway in extra time on Saturday.

The back-to-back European Championship finalists were made to sweat in Florida but Jude Bellingham kept his cool in the Miami heat and humidity to send fans in the stadium and across the UK in raptures.

Wednesday’s clash against Argentina in Atlanta will be the seventh time England have played in the semi-finals of a major tournament, not including the 1968 European Championship when only four teams qualified for the finals.

This is how England got on in their previous last-four encounters.

Portugal had a 100 per cent record going into the match at Wembley and seven of their 14 goals came from an inspired Eusebio.

However, Bobby Charlton struck in either half which meant that, while Eusebio inevitably pulled one back from the penalty spot late on, it was ultimately a mere consolation. The rest, as they say, is history.

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England players Mark Wright (floor) and Peter Beardsley combine to thwart Olaf Thon of West Germany during the 1990 FIFA World Cup Semi Final (Getty)

West Germany 1 England 1 (West Germany won 4-3 on penalties) – 1990 World Cup

Paul Gascoigne’s tears and the start of their penalty shootout woes were the legacies of England’s biggest game since seeing off the same opponents in the final 24 years earlier.

Gary Lineker cancelled out Andreas Brehme’s deflected effort at the Stadio delle Alpi before, in the shootout, Stuart Pearce saw his spot-kick saved and Chris Waddle blazed over.

Germany 1 England 1 (Germany won 6-5 on penalties) – 1996 European Championship

A familiar opponent and outcome as 30 years of hurt continued at Wembley.

Alan Shearer headed England in front early on, but Stefan Kuntz soon levelled and, while Gascoigne was agonisingly close to sliding in a winner in extra time, the teams could not be separated after 120 minutes.

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Gareth Southgate missed his penalty in the shootout between England and Germany in the Euro 1996 semi-final (PA Archive)

Remarkably, the first 10 penalties were scored in the shootout, meaning Gareth Southgate’s miss proved decisive.

Croatia 2-1 England (after extra time) – 2018 World Cup

Now the manager, Southgate led England back to the sharp end of a major event once more but, despite Kieran Trippier’s early free-kick giving them reason to believe, Croatia had other ideas.

Ivan Perisic struck midway through the second half at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium before Mario Mandzukic struck in extra time to break English hearts.

England 2 Denmark 1 (after extra time) – 2020 European Championship

Falling behind to Mikkel Damsgaard’s goal might have invoked a familiar sinking feeling within England fans, but Simon Kjaer’s own goal sent the match to an additional 30 minutes at Wembley.

A nerve-racking shootout was avoided when Harry Kane converted after his penalty was saved as England ended their semi-final hoodoo. However, more penalty heartbreak awaited England in the final against Italy.

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Ollie Watkins sent England to the Euro 2024 final with his late winner against the Netherlands (Bradley Collyer/PA)

England 2 Netherlands 1 – 2024 European Championships

Ollie Watkins’ last-minute winner sent Southgate to a second major final as England manager.

After Harry Kane’s spot-kick cancelled out a superb Xavi Simons opener, substitutes Cole Palmer and Watkins combined for a winner, but final heartbreak against Spain followed.