Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterEngland vs Norway saw an eventful first half of football, in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.Norway almost opened the scoring shortly after the Three Lions' back-line almost allowed Haaland in on goal, thanks to a John Stones error.They broke through via an astonishing finish from Andreas Schjelderup, whose cross translated into a top-bins goal.Jude Bellingham's goal for England should have been chalked off and given as a drop ball, leading to protest from Norway's Erling Haaland at the 2026 World CupJude Bellingham levelled the score for England with a wonderful strike shortly before half-time.Prior to that goal, the Three Lions almost went down by two, with Alexander Sorloth failing to convert from a two-on-one counter. You may like 'That can't go in the net from there' Gary Neville slams Jordan Pickford for freak Norway goal vs England How to watch Norway vs England for FREE England vs Norway prediction: The battle of Harry Kane vs Erling Haaland Bizarrely, England's goal should have been ruled out due to a goal kick from Orjan Nyland in the build-up hitting the overhead TV cable.The protocol in this scenario is for the game to be halted, and for a drop ball to occur.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Instead, the goal kick led to possession being claimed by the Three Lions, who surged up the pitch.At the end of the move was Bellingham, who calmly slotted his finish past Norway's goalkeeper.Erling Haaland led vocal protests directed at the referee due to the ball striking the cable, but it was not ruled out. What to read next What is England's competitive record against Norway? Why have Norway had to change hotels before England match? Jude Bellingham rejects Man of the Match award saying no England player deserved it against Ghana Via Fox Sports coverage, former referee Mark Clattenburg said that any instance of the ball touching the TV cable should result in the match being halted.As relayed by Rebecca Lowe, Clattenburg said: "If the ball touches any outside object, then the whistle should go, and it should be a drop ball."The former referee then spoke himself: "Some will ask, why does the VAR not interfere?"They can interfere, if that contact [with the cable] is part of a reviewable incident."He concluded: "An attacking phase of play leading to a goal is a part of VAR's reviewable incidents, so it should have been picked up by VAR."England were also the beneficiaries of a Norway goal being chalked off in the second half.Haaland was deemed to have shoved future Manchester City team-mate Elliot Anderson in the build-up to a set piece goal from the Norwegians.The Three Lions will look to continue fighting as they aim to secure a spot in the last four of the 2026 World Cup.Kedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.
