Alfie Haaland aims dig at referees after Norway are knocked out by England in the World Cup quarter-final – after son Erling was bizarrely subbed OFF despite his side needing a goal in Miami
Erling Haaland’s father Alfie appeared to be veiledly attacking officials following Norway’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to England.
Jude Bellingham scored twice to spoil Andreas Schjelderup’s first-half opener and send England into the semi-finals as the Three Lions earned a 2-1 extra-time win in Miami.
However, the result was not without controversy. Questions were raised about Bellingham’s equalizer, with some suggesting the ball may have hit the overhead camera wire during the build-up.
Norway was also disappointed when no goals were scored in the second half. Referees ruled that Haaland had pushed Elliot Anderson into the penalty area before the corner was taken, causing the effort to be wasted.
Former Leeds United and Manchester City midfielder Alfie Haaland made his feelings known on social media after the match. In response to Fabrizio Romano’s post highlighting Bellingham’s tally of six goals in six matches in the World Cup, he wrote: ‘Well done Bellingham and the referee.’
Following Norway’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to England, Alfie Haaland appeared to be veiledly attacking the officials.
Erling Haaland got hooked during half-time of extra time in Miami
Haaland could only manage one shot on target throughout the match.
This wasn’t the only moment of controversy during the match; Norwegian fans were later surprised to see talisman Haaland come on as a substitute during extra time as their side were chasing an equaliser.
The harsh conditions in the Miami heat had a negative impact on the prolific forward, who was seen receiving treatment at the end of regulation time.
As Norway fell behind in the extra time, coach Stale Solbakken made an unexpected decision and replaced Haaland with Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The Manchester City star looked frustrated on the sidelines as Norway, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, ended their impressive run in the quarter-finals.
Norway was surprisingly ahead when Andrea Schjelderup found the net in the 36th minute, the ball he shot into the penalty area evaded everyone and went in.
England hit back 10 minutes later through Jude Bellingham, who leveled the contest when he struck an excellent shot from close range into the bottom right corner.
Bellingham then created the decisive moment in extra time. After Orjan Nyland could only parry Morgan Rogers’ powerful long-range effort, the Real Madrid midfielder was quick to react to convert the rebound and put England ahead.
Although Norway came up late when a penalty awarded to Djed Spence was canceled out following a VAR review, his strike ultimately proved the winner.
As for Haaland, the 25-year-old City star struggled to stamp his authority on the match for uncharacteristically long periods, registering just 21 touches in more than 105 minutes on the pitch. He managed to score just two goals and only one (a tame header in the first half) required a save from Jordan Pickford.
It was a rare quiet night for the Norwegian captain, with him failing to score in a competitive international match for the first time in almost two years; His last goalless match for Norway took place on 13 October 2024.
