NEW YORK – Were it not for Jude Bellingham refusing to bow out of this World Cup, England would not continue to get away with it.
Into the semi-finals and yet to convince over a 90-minute spell, Norway were dispatched with another dose of good fortune. It struck with the penalty that was never was against Ghana, and arguably again in Mexico City in the round of 32. The Norwegians have perhaps the best case of all that luck – and referee Clement Turpin – was not on their side.
Stale Solbakken spent half-time berating the officials after Bellingham’s first goal appeared to hit the “spidercam” above the pitch – which should have halted play in the build-up. But it was one of four contentious incidents as England teed up a semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta.
The foul on Kane
Whether Andreas Schjelderup meant it, whether it was a cross gone wrong that found its way past Jordan Pickford or not, Norway’s opening goal was allowed to stand in spite of an apparent foul on Harry Kane moments before.
