VAR Overturns Norway Goal in Tense World Cup Quarter-Final Against England
England received a huge let off as they saw Norway‘s second goal ruled out by VAR in their World Cup quarter-final.
After Jude Bellingham cancelled out Andreas Schjelderup’s opener in the first half, Torbjørn Heggem thought he had restored Norway’s lead in the 55th minute after forcing home at the back post from Patrick Berg’s corner.
Just like for Norway’s opener, England’s players went straight to referee Clement Turpin to appeal for a foul – and it soon emerged that they had a case.
Erling Haaland, who has been so prolific in front of goal for Norway this tournament, pushed his new Manchester City team-mate Elliot Anderson to the ground as the ball was whipped in.
Turpin reviewed the incident at the pitchside monitor, with ITV refereeing expert Christina Unkel expecting the goal to be chalked off.
Unkel said: “They’ll check Haaland, because it was a full extension of the arms with the push. The VAR is looking at whether or not that would have prevented him [Anderson] from meaningfully be able have an impact as to defend that ball. I would be surprised if this was not overturned for a foul.”
Turpin ruled out the goal for a foul against Anderson shortly after checking the monitor.
Earlier in the game, Harry Kane felt aggrieved after the referee waved away appeals of a foul on the England captain in the build-up to Norway’s first goal.
England dominated possession for the majority of the first half, but fell behind in the 36th minute as Andreas Schjelderup fired in off the post from out wide, scoring an effort which appeared to be intended as a cross.
During the lead-up to the goal, Kane felt he was illegally dispossessed by Norway midfielder Berg, who came through the back of the England striker.
Kane held his ankle as Norway moved toward the England box and found the net, with the 32-year-old appealing to Turpin to have the goal disallowed.
However, no VAR review occurred and Turpin indicated that the goal would stand.
Argentina saw VAR rule in their favour for a foul far back in the build-up to Egypt’s second goal in their last-16 clash, a decision that proved pivotal as the holders won 3-2.
Unkel, alongside ITV pundit Gary Neville, asserted that the officials reached the correct decision on that play.
England equalised through Jude Bellingham late in the first half before Kane saw an effort ruled out by an offside flag, a decision confirmed as correct. The winner of the match advances to face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.
