England were furious when Norway allowed an opening goal in the World Cup quarter-finals. The Three Lions faced Norway in Miami, with a place in the semi-finals at stake for both teams.
In the quarter-finals in Miami, Andreas Schjelderup scored from the back of Norway’s goal to put them ahead, but England’s players protested.
The Three Lions wanted a free kick for an apparent foul on Harry Kane in the build-up to Schjelderup, but their appeal was rejected by referee Clement Turpin.
The goal was checked by VAR and the on-field decision stood, with Kane continuing to speak to the referee as England continued to express their dissatisfaction with the decision.
Former referee Christina Uncker explained why the correct decision was made to concede Norway’s goal as there was no foul on Kane in the build-up.
“No, I can see very clearly that the Norwegian player tilted the ball perfectly and did not make contact with Harry Kane’s ankle at the back,” Uncker told ITV.
“So there was no foul that led to an APP like we saw in the Argentina-Egypt game, it was a clear change of possession and there was no foul.”
Former Arsenal star Lee Dixon, who is a commentator on ITV, criticized England’s response after the tackle on Kane that gave Norway the lead against Florida.
“Listen, it doesn’t matter if it’s a foul or not,” Dixon said. “Berge says he got some of the ball, but after that England seem to go to sleep.”
“I’m still complaining about the free-kick, but (Jordan) Pickford went wide of the goal. A hand goes up from the captain. A hand goes up but nothing is shown and it looks like the referee gave the goal.”
Gary Neville agreed with Uncker that it was the right decision not to foul Kane in the build-up to the Norway goal.
Neville told ITV at half-time: “Harry Kane wants a free-kick, but it’s not a free-kick. Absolutely not.”
England equalized through a goal from Jude Bellingham and the Three Lions went into the half-time break with the score 1-1 with 45 minutes left in the game, but Kane’s shot was ruled out for offside.
