Norway manager Ståle Solbakken acknowledged that the overhead wires may have played a role in England‘s equalizing goal, stating the ball “dropped down straight from heaven,” even though FIFA’s ball sensor indicated there was no contact.
Jude Bellingham scored twice, ensuring a 2-1 triumph for England in a quarter-final match that extended into extra time in the sweltering conditions of Miami. Norway initially took the lead with a cross-shot from Andreas Schjelderup.
Bellingham equalized with a clever strike just before halftime, pouncing on a loose ball after a goal kick from Ørjan Nyland was intercepted.
While it seemed the ball may have struck one of the overhead TV cables, FIFA confirmed that the ball’s chip did not register any contact.
A statement from FIFA read: “Before England’s goal in minute 45+2 against Norway, the sensor in the connected ball recorded no peak in the ‘heartbeat of the ball’ while airborne, indicating no evidence that the ball made contact with the overhead wire and altered its trajectory.”
During the post-match press conference, Solbakken was asked if the overhead wire should receive credit for the equalizer, to which he replied: “Yeah, it probably will. That was unfortunate for us. The ball dropped straight down from the sky, altering its direction. It caused confusion among our players and came at a bad moment for us, but there’s nothing we can do about it. I don’t expect we’ll replay the match, so that’s how it goes.”
While Solbakken didn’t personally witness the ball hit the wire, many on the Norwegian bench did, even though FIFA did not acknowledge it.
“I can’t dispute FIFA’s findings,” he stated. “If the chip recorded no sound or reading, what can I say? But everyone—including Ørjan, the goalkeeper, and the player who was going to receive the ball—saw it drop down straight from heaven. It seemed evident to me that something happened, and it was a curious situation.”
For Norway, this match marked a disappointing end to a memorable summer, having reached the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and advancing further in a major tournament than ever before.
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When asked if the incident would remain a talking point in Norway, Solbakken remarked: “I hope we can focus on other aspects. That’s my genuine hope. I wish that this won’t define our team. It shouldn’t.”