Erling Haaland admitted he was left feeling 'bitter' after Norway were knocked out of the World Cup by England, following a controversial VAR decision that disallowed what would have been a go-ahead goal in extra time. The Manchester City striker was crestfallen at the final whistle having been substituted at the start of the second period of extra-time.
Haaland's frustration with VAR call
Haaland, whose goals had been largely responsible for dragging his nation to the quarter-finals, endured a difficult afternoon in the stifling Miami heat. The totemic striker was largely kept quiet by three of his club colleagues, Marc Guehi, John Stones and Nico O'Reilly, but was still at the heart of one of the game's most contentious moments.
With the match evenly poised 10 minutes into the start of the second period, Torbjorn Lysaker Heggem thought he had poked his side ahead only for VAR to rescue England, with Haaland adjudged to have pushed Elliot Anderson prior to a corner kick being taken.
'It feels a bit empty, to be honest,' Haaland told TV 2. 'I felt we deserved more. I don't think it's a free kick. It's been disallowed because I push Elliot Anderson to the ground, like I get pushed in every single duel. It's a bit bitter. Small moments decide things in the World Cup. Against Brazil we managed to turn it in our favour. Today when we get the 50/50 decisions against us it will be difficult.'
Haaland calls decision 'weak'
In a subsequent interview, Haaland added: 'So, if there is a free kick, I almost have to get a free kick in every duel – in every single match. Because I get pushed, I get pulled all the way, and I think it's weak.'
Those sentiments were echoed by Fulham midfielder Sander Berge, who also struggled to comprehend FIFA's explanation for failing to rule out Jude Bellingham's equaliser after the ball appeared to hit a wire from which the Miami Stadium's spidercam is suspended.
'I won't talk about the wire until later, but it's ridiculous if that's the case,' he said. 'The 2-1 goal speaks for itself. This should be a goal every day of the week, but there are small margins. You never know which way it will go. If it's this way then at least I'll get penalties every week in the Premier League.'
Impact on Norway's World Cup campaign
The defeat ends Norway's promising World Cup run, which had seen them reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1998. Haaland's frustration was palpable as he reflected on the fine margins that decided the match, with England progressing to the semi-finals.
