Norway claims ball hit camera

Norway lost to England in the quarterfinals after extra time. Several experts believe England's equalizer could have been a potential scandal.

The camera in focus

Ørjan Håskjold Nyland pointed out to the camera after Jude Bellingham equalized to 1–1. He protested strongly to referee Clément Turpin without getting a hearing. A video from the American rights holder FOX shows the ball apparently hitting the camera before the 1-1 equalizer.

Fifa says no

– We have checked the data and do not see any indication on the graph from the chip in the ball, writes Fifa in a statement to VG. Later, Fifa published a video showing the results on the graph on X: – Before England's goal in minute 45+2 against Norway, the sensor in «Connected Ball» showed no peak in «the ball's heartbeat» while it was in the air, and therefore there is no evidence that the ball hit the camera and changed its movement, writes Fifa in the post.

Landslagssjef Ståle Solbakken reacted strongly

– He said he didn't see it, and that there was no information from the chip in the ball. It's fair, but the ball did hit something. It fell straight down from the sky, says Solbakken to VG. – I'm not blaming anyone for the (episode with the camera), but the whole bench – and Ørjan – reacted immediately when the ball fell straight down. We'll have to live with this for the rest of our lives, continues Solbakken.

Next match

Last result: Norway 1-2 England (2026-07-11). Recent form (last 5): 3W-0D-2L (LLWWW, most recent first); lost the last 2. Next fixture: vs Denmark (at home, 2026-09-24).

Expert reaction

– It's completely crazy that something like this can happen. The referees can't have gotten it. Then Norway must have stormed the pitch, so that they get it, says Kjetil Rekdal in VGTV's studio. – For me, this was completely unknown. If it's the camera that stops it there, then the ball should be dropped. It's extra bitter. Lars Tjærnås writes on X that it's a «total scandal» if the ball hits the camera and is not dropped.