12.07.2026 09:10
In the match where England defeated Norway 2-1 to advance to the World Cup semifinals, a claim that the ball hit a camera cable before the equalizer sparked debate. FIFA stated that the sensor inside the ball did not detect any contact and found no evidence the ball's trajectory changed. Norway's head coach Stale Solbakken strongly reacted to the referee's decision.
In the quarter-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, England faced Norway in Miami. The match ended 1-1 in regular time, and England won 2-1 in extra time to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Norway took the lead in the 36th minute with a goal from Andreas Schjelderup. Jude Bellingham equalized for England in stoppage time of the first half. The star player stepped up again in the 93rd minute, scoring the goal that sent his team to the semi-finals.
CABLE CLAIM BEFORE THE EQUALIZER
After the match, a moment before England's equalizer sparked controversy. According to the Norwegian side, after goalkeeper Orjan Nyland took a kick, the ball rose and hit a cable from the Spidercam system above the pitch, changing its direction.
In the continuation of the play, England won the ball, and the attack resulted in Bellingham's equalizer in the 45+2nd minute. Some replays suggested the ball may have touched the cable, but the match officials did not stop play.
FIFA POINTS TO SENSOR DATA
Following the controversy, FIFA issued a statement. FIFA reported that the connected sensor in the match ball did not detect any contact at the relevant moment.
The statement said that the sensor data showed no unusual change in the ball's movement records, described as the ball's "heartbeat," and therefore there was no evidence that the ball touched the camera cable or that its movement was altered due to the cable. FIFA argued that based on this data, the goal was considered valid.
The connected ball technology used in the tournament produces movement data hundreds of times per second via its internal sensor, helping to determine touches on the ball.
SOLBAKKEN: DID NORWAY NEED TO ENTER THE PITCH?
Norway's head coach, Stale Solbakken, reacted after the match, criticizing the referees for not noticing the incident.
Solbakken said, "It's truly unbelievable that such a thing happened. The referees couldn't have missed it. Did Norway need to enter the pitch for them to notice?"
The experienced coach stated that if it were determined the ball hit the cable, play should have been restarted with a dropped ball, arguing that the incident disrupted Norway's defensive setup.
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT TOUCHED THE CABLE?
According to the Laws of the Game, if the ball touches an external factor like a camera cable and interferes with play, the referee should stop play and restart with a dropped ball at the point of contact.
However, since FIFA decided based on sensor data that there was no contact, the goal was deemed valid, and the match result stood unchanged.
ENGLAND'S OPPONENT IS ARGENTINA
With the extra-time victory advancing to the semi-finals, England will face Argentina for a spot in the final. Thus, England reaches the last four of the World Cup for the first time since 2018.