Norway's Ståle Solbakken criticizes TV wire goal assist in World Cup quarter-final loss

Norway's head coach Ståle Solbakken expressed frustration over a controversial incident involving an overhead TV wire during England's equalizing goal in the World Cup quarter-final match on July 12, 2026, in Miami. Despite Norway's early lead, England's Jude Bellingham scored twice, leading to a 2-1 victory after extra time.

Controversial Goal Decision

During the match, an overhead wire appeared to influence the trajectory of the ball as it fell to Bellingham, who capitalized on the situation. Solbakken stated, "It became a misunderstanding among our players and it was in a bad moment for us, but we can't do anything about that." FIFA later confirmed that their technology did not register any contact with the wire.

FIFA's statement read: "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." This has led to heated discussions among fans and analysts alike.

Norway's Journey in the World Cup

This World Cup marked Norway's first appearance since 1998, and they made a significant impact before their exit. Solbakken remarked, "It was a painful end to a summer to treasure for Norway, who marked their first World Cup since 1998 by going deeper in a major tournament than ever before." The team had shown promising performances, and their journey was celebrated by fans.

Reflections on the Match

Despite the disappointment, Solbakken hopes the narrative surrounding the match will shift away from the wire incident. He commented, "I hope we can think about and talk about other things. That's my sincere hope." The focus now turns to the future for the Norwegian team as they aim to build on their newfound success.