Norway Manager Rues Controversial Equaliser After Quarter-Final Heartbreak Vs England

Norway manager Ståle Solbakken refused to let controversy overshadow his side's historic FIFA World Cup campaign after their dramatic 2-1 extra-time defeat to England, insisting his players had shown they could compete with the very best teams in world football.

Jude Bellingham's second-half stoppage-time equaliser cancelled out Andreas Schjelderup's opener before the England midfielder struck again in extra time to send the Three Lions into the semi-finals, ending Norway's finest World Cup run.

Yet much of the post-match discussion centred around England's equaliser. Solbakken was convinced the ball struck one of the overhead camera cables moments before the move began.

"The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed its direction," Solbakken said.

"It caused a misunderstanding among our players, and it was in a bad moment for us. But we can't do anything about that. I don't think we will play the game again, so that's how it is."

The incident occurred when goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland's clearance appeared to change trajectory before England regained possession and launched the attack that ended with Bellingham scoring.

FIFA, however, released a statement during the match saying the connected ball's internal sensor showed "no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire and changed the movement of the ball."

Solbakken acknowledged FIFA's explanation but admitted those on the Norwegian bench remained unconvinced.

"I can't say anything about that because FIFA," he said. "If there's been no sound or no reading in the chip, what can I say against that?

"But the ball drops down straight from heaven, says everyone, including Ørjan, who is the goalkeeper, including the player who was going to receive it.

"I saw another way just then, so I also wonder what happened. I think it's pretty clear that it did, and it was a strange thing."

Despite the frustration, the Norway coach was keen that the debate should not define what his squad had achieved over six memorable weeks.

"I hope we can think about and talk about other things," Solbakken said.

"That's my sincere hope. I hope this will not be the story about this team. It shouldn't be."

Although visibly disappointed after seeing Norway fall just short of a first-ever World Cup semi-final, Solbakken spoke warmly about the legacy his players had created.

"I am most proud that we have been together for six and a half weeks," he said.

"All the players and supporters have contributed in such a way that we have not had a boring moment. I don't think our fans in Norway have either."

The coach believes the tournament has fundamentally changed how his players view themselves on the international stage.

"There is now a group of players who feel they can compete equally with every football team in the world," he explained.

"That is a feeling that is very important to have. There are many players here who now believe they belong at this level."

Just as importantly, Solbakken highlighted the collective spirit within the squad.

"Everyone understands how important team spirit is. Even those who haven't played many minutes have contributed enormously behind the scenes and on the training pitch."

Norway's run to the quarter-finals represented their deepest progression at a major tournament, and for Solbakken, the achievement went beyond simply qualifying.

"The perfect qualification was not just being a team that qualifies, but becoming a tournament team," he said.

"I think we have succeeded with that."

He compared the current squad to Norway's previous generations that reached the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and Euro 2000.

"Those teams qualified well but didn't quite live up to expectations in the tournaments.

"These boys have reached another level. For the first time in 28 years, Norway has become a tournament team because we've won knockout matches and performed at our best."

Solbakken also paid tribute to Norway's travelling fans, whose famous "Viking clap" has become one of the enduring images of the tournament.

"They've built a fantastic connection with these players over the last few years," he said.

"The supporters have been with us all through qualification, and the rowing tradition we brought here has become something special for our togetherness."

The Norway manager also explained why Erling Haaland was withdrawn during extra time after another tireless display from his captain.

"It wasn't a difficult decision because he was finished," Solbakken revealed.

"Maybe I should even have taken him off ten minutes earlier."

The Manchester City striker ended the tournament with seven goals in five matches despite battling through physical discomfort against England.

"He has had a tremendous World Cup," Solbakken said.

"He used all his energy and power game after game. I think he also picked up a dead leg in the second half. Combined with the fatigue, he simply had nothing left."

"He was a little unlucky in a couple of situations, but seven goals in five games is a fantastic World Cup."

One opportunity in particular will linger, however, when Haaland and Alexander Sørloth broke clear with the chance to put Norway 2-0 ahead.

"It was a big opportunity," Solbakken admitted.

"Alex had sprinted 40 or 50 metres at full speed and was looking for the exact moment to release Erling, but he couldn't find it. Then the chance disappeared.

"That was one of the margins."

"Today it's sorrow," Solbakken concluded.

"Maybe in a week or two it will become happiness. We knew we had a chance to reach the semi-finals and we came very close.

"But if someone had told us before the World Cup that this would be our journey over these six and a half weeks, I think we would have been very happy."