Norway boss responds after new angle showed England goal vs Norway ‘should’ve been disallowed’

England's World Cup dream goes on, but Norway have been left feeling 'bitter' and like big refereeing decisions went against them. So this is what it's like to be on the other end of that outcome.

It was far from pretty and Thomas Tuchel was the first person to criticise the performance, but England are through to the World Cup semi-finals for just the fourth time in their history.

The Three Lions came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 in extra-time, with Jude Bellingham once again proving to be the hero with his match-winning brace.

It was his first goal that really pulled England out of the fire, as he latched onto Anthony Gordon's pass before powering his way past a challenge and firing into the bottom corner.

However, Norway were convinced the goal shouldn't have stood as, in a new angle of the goal, the ball appeared to hit a cable holding the spider camera that is suspended over the pitch and deflected its path.

The ball fell at the feet of Eliott Anderson, who got the move started, but, if it did hit the wire, then a drop ball should have been given.

However, FIFA said the heartbeat sensor in the ball did not spike, suggesting it did not make contact.

Norway boss Stale Solbakken is still sure it did.

Norway feel aggrieved after England goal was given

It appeared the Norway squad spotted it (Fox)

Solbakken, his staff and goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland were all seen remonstrating with referee Clément Turpin in the aftermath of the goal.

But VAR did not intervene to overturn the decision as it had with Harry Kane's off-side goal, Torbjørn Heggem's disallowed strike and Djed Spence's penalty.

Speaking after the match, Solbakken still thought the ball had clipped the cable, but didn't argue too much with FIFA's explanation.

"Many on the bench reacted immediately I was not one of them. I can't say anything about that because FIFA, if there is no sound in the chip, what can I say against that?" he said.

"The ball drops straight down from heaven. I saw another way just then so I also don't know what happened. I think it's pretty clear that it did and yeah, it was a strange thing."

FIFA said in a statement explaining why the goal was allowed: "Before England’s goal in minute 45+2 against Norway, the sensor in the Connected Ball showed no peak in the 'heartbeat of the ball' when in the air, and therefore no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire and changed the movement of the ball."

Tuchel believes England were lucky to emerge from the game victorious, with the goal decision being another example of fortune being in his side's favour.

The manager said: "I heard that but there's a chip in the ball which can tell you if a hair touches it as we know since the Croatia vs Portugal game, they should be able to tell you if it happened.

"I think we just got lucky in decisive moments."

Norway captain Martin Ødegaard admitted the team felt 'bitter' over key calls going against them, but remained proud of his country's best-ever performance in a World Cup.

"No, I mean, the match is over, so we can't do anything about it now. It’s just bitter," he said.

"If we were standing here right now having been completely outplayed and lost 2-0, it would have been fine. Then you can just raise your hands, go home, and accept that that was the level.

"But when it's down to such small margins, and specific situations go against us, it feels extra bitter, especially when we were so close.

"But we can't focus too much on it. It’s done now. We have delivered an absolutely massive performance throughout this tournament, so we have to try to look past the disappointment and frustration, be proud of what we've done, and manage to focus on that."

New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026

This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.

10-second substitution

Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.

5-second throw-ins and goal kicks

If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.

Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute

An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.

More VAR

VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Players can’t cover their mouths

Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.

Red cards for players leaving the pitch

Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.