Norway’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup under contentious circumstances led to an angry reaction from Erling Haaland’s father, Alfie.
Norway’s shining run through the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended with a 2-1 loss in extra time to England, as the Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard-led squad is headed home.
However, the dubious nature of Jude Bellingham’s first goal led to a sarcastic message from Alfie Haaland.
Erling Haaland’s father congratulates Jude Bellingham and the referees
Bellingham’s equalizer emerged from a botched Norway goal kick, as the ball hit the cable for an overhead camera, decelerating rapidly and allowing England to launch a counter-attack and score.
Alfie Haaland sacrificially congratulated the referees for helping England win by not overturning the goal through a VAR check, as the ball should’ve been out of play after hitting the cable.
“Well done Bellingham and referee.”
Norway took a 1-0 lead in the clash with a 36th-minute goal from Andreas Schjelderup but entered halftime 1-1 after Bellingham’s controversial equalizer. Jude would also seal the win for England with a 93rd-minute winner in extra time.
Haaland was naturally rooting for his home nation, represented by his mercurial son at the top of their attack. Erling ended the campaign with seven goals and is confirmed to lose out on the Golden Boot.
England advances to the semi-finals against Argentina, who also had to go into extra time to eliminate Switzerland from the quarter-finals.
A guaranteed medal game awaits the four teams remaining, a chance that Haaland and Norway will feel devastated to miss.
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