Erling Haaland's Father Fumes Over England Defeat And Claims Norway Were 'Robbed'

Alf-Inge Haaland accused England of being "saved by the referee" after Norway's dramatic 2-1 extra-time defeat in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, although the former Leeds United midfielder admitted he hopes the Three Lions go on to lift the trophy.

Thomas Tuchel's side booked their place in the semi-finals after Jude Bellingham struck twice to overturn Andreas Schjelderup's first-half opener in a pulsating contest in Miami, setting up a last-four meeting with Argentina.

The match, however, saw a series of controversial refereeing decisions that left the Norwegian camp furious.

Former Manchester City defender Alf-Inge Haaland, whose son Erling led Norway's attack before being substituted in extra time, was among the most vocal critics after the final whistle.

Responding to a social media post by veteran football journalist Henry Winter, Haaland wrote: "Saved by the referee. Hope you win the WC now. But feel we got robbed today."

Earlier in the evening, shortly after Bellingham scored his decisive extra-time winner, Haaland had posted: "Well done Bellingham and referee."

The quarter-final featured several flashpoints that sparked heated debate throughout the night.

Norway believed they should have been awarded the advantage when Jude Bellingham's first-half equaliser came after claims the ball had struck an overhead camera cable before England regained possession. FIFA later stated that there was no evidence from the connected match ball that contact had occurred.

The Scandinavians also saw what would have been a crucial second-half goal ruled out after VAR determined Erling Haaland had fouled Elliot Anderson while challenging at a corner before Torbjørn Heggem found the net.

England, meanwhile, had a penalty initially awarded for a challenge on Djed Spence overturned following a video review.

During the match, television cameras also captured Alf-Inge Haaland reacting angrily after the overturned penalty decision. He appeared to gesture towards England supporters by mimicking a dive before raising two fingers in their direction.

Haaland senior was not alone in questioning the officiating after Norway's World Cup campaign came to an end.

Goalscorer Andreas Schjelderup admitted the decisions left a bitter taste.

"Unfortunately, the margins were against us, the odds were against us," he said.

"Some decisions by the referee were a bit bitter. If we lost fully it would have been a bit different."

Captain Martin Ødegaard echoed those sentiments, believing fortune rarely favoured Norway throughout the contest.

"We didn't get much help from the referee," Ødegaard said.

"The margins went against us and we had a bit of bad luck."

Despite Norway's frustration, England extended their World Cup campaign after another dramatic comeback victory, with Bellingham once again proving decisive in the knockout rounds.

Tuchel's side will now turn their attention to Wednesday's semi-final against Argentina, who secured their own place in the last four with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland.

For Norway, meanwhile, the defeat brought an end to a memorable tournament that saw them reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, even if the final chapter will be remembered as much for its controversies as for their outstanding run.