Roy Keane claimed that alcohol may have impaired Alf-Inge Haaland's view of England's 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over Norway on Saturday evening, after the Norwegian lambasted referee Clement Turpin. The match was largely stagnant for the Three Lions, who struggled to create chances and breach their opponents' back-line.
Match Summary
Andreas Schjelderup gave Norway the lead early on with a seemingly mishit cross that found the back of Jordan Pickford's net from out wide. Jude Bellingham ensured England headed into half-time level with a silky finish from inside Orjan Nyland's box, before winning the match in extra time from close range.
Norway felt aggrieved that they were denied a 2-1 lead due to VAR intervention. Torbjorn Heggem latched onto a loose ball at the back post early in the second half and poked it into the top of the England net. However, due to a push from Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson ahead of the play, Turpin and VAR ruled out the goal, leaving the game level at 1-1.
Alf-Inge Haaland's Comments
Alf-Inge Haaland hit out on social media at full-time, writing on X: "Well done Bellingham and referee," in sour fashion as his nation crashed out of the tournament in North America. Keane saw things completely differently.
The former Manchester United captain told Stick To Football: "Will he remember the game? Because he always seems to be drinking alcohol at the matches, the dad. No, he does! If you're having a drink then you're seeing the game differently. Listen, I'll always be trying to go the other way [against England] a little bit, if it's 50-50, but the push is a push and then he heads it, so there you go. Families and fans after games, we saw the interviews with the England manager, Bellingham, family members, they're all a bit emotional so you try and give them the benefit of the doubt. But when people wake up tomorrow morning, you won't be sitting there going, 'The referee's cost us.' You can't. You can argue a couple of decisions but you can't say, 'He's cost us.' No."
Reactions from Gary Neville and Ian Wright
Gary Neville echoed Keane's sentiment, saying: "No, I didn't think it was a game where, as an England fan, that I thought we were lucky because of the referee. I thought against Ghana we were lucky, when Ezri Konsa's penalty wasn't given, and that's when you are lucky, when you think you've got away with one."
Ian Wright, meanwhile, felt it was a case of bitterness from Alf-Inge, adding: "Is that sour grapes from Alf-Inge Haaland, saying well done to Bellingham and the referee? I think that was just a bit of a low blow from him."
Officiating Analysis
From a neutral point of view, Turpin's officiating seemed fair. The Frenchman disallowed Norway's goal but also overturned an England penalty that many fans felt Djed Spence rightfully earned. Spence burst into the Norway box with pace in the first portion of extra time before seemingly being brought down by Oscar Bobb. While Turpin initially awarded a spot kick, he eventually ruled that Spence had drawn the foul by putting his leg across the full-back to create contact.
Upcoming Matches
As a result of their win, England will now take on Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday, July 15 at 8pm. A win there will see them play either France or Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19.
