Solbakken: 'Ball fell from the sky' – Norway boss disputes FIFA verdict on England goal

Norway’s dream World Cup run came to a heartbreaking end in the Miami heat, as Jude Bellingham’s double cancelled out Andreas Schjelderup’s opener and sent England into the semifinals. But the defining moment of the quarterfinal was shrouded in controversy. Bellingham’s first goal arrived in first-half stoppage time (45+2). After Erlend Nyland’s blocked clearance, the ball suddenly and unnaturally changed trajectory mid-air. Norway’s players hesitated, and Bellingham pounced. To the Scandinavians, it looked like the ball had clipped a television cable suspended above the pitch. FIFA quickly issued a statement citing the data from the connected match ball. “The sensor inside the ball showed no contact in the air, therefore no evidence that the ball touched an overhead wire and altered its movement,” the governing body said. Ståle Solbakken wasn’t buying it. “Yes, probably so,” the coach replied when asked if the cable had provided the assist. “The ball fell straight from the sky, so it changed direction. It caused confusion among our players, and it was a bad moment for us. But we can’t do anything about it.” He admitted he hadn’t seen the contact himself, but many on the bench and players involved had a clear view. “I can’t say anything about that because of FIFA. If there was no sound or reading in the chip, what can I say against that? But everyone, including goalkeeper Erlend and the player who was supposed to receive the ball, says there was a touch. I’m completely convinced it happened, and it was strange,” Solbakken added. Despite the bitter ending, the tournament marked a historic breakthrough for Norway. It was their first World Cup qualification since 1998 and their deepest run ever. Solbakken urged fans and media not to let one controversial incident overshadow the team’s achievement.