England secured a 2-1 victory over Norway in extra time during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final match held at Hard Rock Stadium. This result marked the first time in 636 days that Erling Haaland was kept from scoring in a competitive international match. The last team to achieve this feat was Austria in October 2024.
Prior to this match, Haaland had been a dominant force for Norway, scoring seven goals in five matches at the World Cup. His performance had been crucial in leading Norway past teams like Japan and Switzerland, and he scored a brace against Brazil in the Round of 16, which resulted in the elimination of the five-time world champions.
Match Highlights and Controversies
The match saw Norway take an early lead in the 36th minute with a goal from Andreas Schjelderup, who scored with a left-footed strike after Harry Kane lost possession in midfield. England‘s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, made a crucial point-blank save against Haaland during the first half, keeping his team in contention.
England found their equaliser just before half-time through Jude Bellingham, who converted an opportunity created by Anthony Gordon. This goal was not without controversy, as Norway protested, believing the ball had brushed an overhead camera cable before dropping to England‘s possession. However, FIFA later stated that technology indicated no contact had occurred, confirming the goal.
Another contentious moment arose in the 55th minute when Torbjorn Heggem appeared to restore Norway‘s lead after a corner. Following a VAR review, the goal was disallowed because officials ruled that Erling Haaland had fouled Elliot Anderson before the corner kick was taken. These decisions contributed to frustration within the Norwegian camp.
England‘s defensive efforts were notable, with Marc Guehi and John Stones effectively containing Haaland throughout the 120 minutes, denying him space and clear scoring opportunities. Haaland was eventually substituted for Jorgen Strand Larsen midway through extra time, a moment that signalled the end of Norway‘s challenge.
Post-Match Reactions and Tournament Impact
Jude Bellingham ultimately secured the win for England with an extra-time goal, his second of the match. The winning goal came three minutes into extra time when Morgan Rogers‘ long-range effort slipped through the grasp of goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, allowing Bellingham to react quickly and score from close range.
Following the match, Erling Haaland‘s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, publicly criticised the officiating. In a social media post, he sarcastically commented, "Well done Bellingham and referee," drawing significant attention online. Alf-Inge Haaland had a distinguished playing career himself, representing clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City, and earning 34 caps for Norway, including an appearance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Haaland concluded his 2026 World Cup campaign with seven goals in six matches, including braces against Brazil, Switzerland, and Japan. His performance was instrumental in leading Norway to their first-ever World Cup quarter-final. His substitution in extra time, with Norway trailing, sparked discussion on social media, with many questioning the decision to remove one of the tournament’s key players.
With this victory, England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, advanced to their fourth World Cup semi-final, and their second in the last three editions of the tournament. They are now set to face the winner of the match between Argentina and Switzerland for a place in the final. The other semi-final will feature France against Spain.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
