Solbakken Blasts TV Cable in England's 2-1 Win as FIFA Cites Ball Sensor
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 12
Solbakken Blasts TV Cable in England's 2-1 Win as FIFA Cites Ball Sensor
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 12
Summary
Ståle Solbakken said an overhead TV wire "probably" deserved an assist on England's equalizer, arguing the ball dropped "straight from heaven" before Jude Bellingham's first goal in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat.
FIFA said the connected ball's sensor showed no contact at 45+2, with no "peak in the heartbeat of the ball," despite Norway players and staff believing the goal-kick hit a cable.
Jude Bellingham scored twice as England overturned Andreas Schjelderup's opener in hot, humid Miami, sending the match to extra time before sealing a semifinal place.
Norway's coach said the incident should not define a landmark run, with the team reaching its first World Cup since 1998 and going deeper in a major tournament than ever before.