Norway's World Cup Quarterfinal Loss Sparks Referee Controversy, FIFA Clarifies Decisions The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal clash between Norway and England ignited controversy after Norwegian striker Erling Haaland's father, Alf-Inge Haaland, publicly questioned the referee's decisions. Norway's defeat to England, which secured the latter a semifinal spot, left fans and players frustrated over two contentious calls during the match. The game, held in Miami, saw England triumph 2-1, with Jude Bellingham emerging as the hero with two goals, including a decisive extra-time strike. Norway's initial lead came in the first half when Andreas Schjeldal scored, but England equalized through Bellingham in the 78th minute. The match's pivotal moments included a disputed goal in the 55th minute, which was later disallowed by VAR. Norwegian players and supporters expressed outrage over the decision, arguing that the ball had struck a cable overhead, potentially altering its trajectory. FIFA clarified that sensor data from the connected ball showed no evidence of interference, upholding the referee's call. Alf-Inge Haaland, a former Norwegian international, took to social media to mock the situation, joking, "Bellingham and the referee deserve praise." His comments highlighted the growing tension between the Norwegian team and officials. The controversy deepened in the second half when Norway's Torbjørn Heggem scored a goal that was also ruled out by VAR, further fueling frustration. Despite Norway's efforts, England's resilience proved decisive. Bellingham's extra-time goal sealed the victory, ending Norway's historic World Cup campaign. The loss marked the end of Haaland's streak of 14 consecutive competitive international goals, a testament to his exceptional form.#england #fifa #jude_bellingham #norway #alfinge_haaland
