England beat Norway 2-1 despite camera cable controversy over goal
England advanced to the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Norway in Miami, though Jude Bellingham’s crucial equaliser was marred by claims the ball struck a camera cable in the build-up.
Replays appeared to show the ball making contact with overhead broadcast equipment before the Three Lions began the move that led to their first-half leveller.
Under the laws of the game, play should be stopped if the ball touches an external object and materially benefits the attacking team.
However, the referee allowed play to continue and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not intervene.
Fifa relies on connected ball technology
World football’s governing body has firmly defended the decision to let the goal stand.
Fifa stated that the sensor housed inside the official match ball provided definitive proof that no external interference occurred.
Before England’s goal in minute 45+2 against Norway, the sensor in the Connected Ball showed no peak in the heartbeat of the ball when in the air, and therefore no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire and changed the movement of the ball.
The official explanation offered little comfort to the Scandinavian side, who felt heavily aggrieved by the officiating at a pivotal moment in the quarter-final tie.
Bellingham answers early setback
Thomas Tuchel’s men had initially fallen behind when Andreas Schjelderup fired a speculative effort past the English defence following the first hydration break.
The deficit did not last long as Anthony Gordon found his team-mate on the edge of the penalty area in first-half stoppage time.
The Real Madrid midfielder controlled the pass expertly before driving a precise left-footed strike into the net to restore parity.
Captain Harry Kane had the ball in the net shortly afterwards, but his effort was correctly ruled out for offside.
England ultimately secured the win to book their place in the final four, continuing a 2026 tournament already characterised by several high-profile refereeing disputes.