New Footage Fuels Controversy Over Bellingham's Equaliser
Fresh footage of the controversial build-up to Jude Bellingham's equalising goal against Norway in the World Cup quarter-final has emerged. The goal, scored moments before half-time on Saturday, has sparked outrage in the Norway camp, with players and coach claiming the ball hit an overhead spider cam before the play.
Bellingham later scored the winning goal in extra-time to send England through, but the debate over whether his first strike should have stood continues.
What Happened in the Build-Up
There was no dispute regarding a foul or offside. Elliot Anderson collected a loose ball before threading a pass out wide to Anthony Gordon. Gordon beat his marker and located Bellingham just outside the area. The Real Madrid ace took several touches before drilling the ball low past Orjan Nyland.
Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland led the protests, insisting that his goal kick, which was collected from the air by Anderson, struck the spider cam—a camera suspended by multiple thick wires that provides an aerial perspective. A fresh slow-motion clip from Canadian sports broadcaster TSN appears to show the ball making contact with the wire, altering its trajectory.
Norway's Reaction: 'A Scandal'
Andreas Schjelderup, who had given Norway the lead, branded the incident a scandal. Speaking to TV2, he said: "You see that the ball changes direction and lands ten meters earlier. I haven't seen the pictures again, but if it hit, it's a scandal."
Norway head coach Stale Solbakken also weighed in, acknowledging FIFA's evidence but maintaining his belief that contact occurred. He stated: "Many on the bench reacted immediately. I was not one of them. I can't say anything about that because FIFA, if there is no sound in the chip, what can I say against that? The ball drops straight down from heaven. I saw another way just then so I also don't know what happened. I think it's pretty clear that it did and yeah, it was a strange thing."
FIFA's Statement on the Ball Sensor
Despite all the evidence, the heartbeat sensor in the ball failed to detect any peak, as FIFA confirmed in a statement. The statement read: "Before England's goal in minute 45+2 against Norway, the sensor in the Connected Ball showed no peak in the 'heartbeat of the ball' when in the air, and therefore no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire and changed the movement of the ball."
The BBC's 3D replay appeared to show a 'ripple' in the ball's trajectory, but FIFA's technology did not corroborate this.
What's Next for England
The Three Lions are now poised to take on Argentina for a spot in the World Cup final, while Spain vs France will be contested on the other side of the bracket. The controversy over Bellingham's goal is unlikely to fade, with Norway still fuming over the decision.
