Jude Bellingham’s equaliser against Norway in England’s World Cup quarter-final victory was close to being ruled out.
Bellingham brought the Three Lions level in the clash just before half time, but VAR checked a bizarre moment in the build-up.
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Bellingham’s goal could have been disallowed after the ball seemed to hit the cameraCredit: Getty
Footage emerged of a replay that showed the ball appearing to hit one of the cables that hang over the pitch to control the aerial camera.
A goal-kick from Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland incredibly seemed to strike the wire and deflect the ball.
After that, England regained possession and they went on to score – but if it hit the cable, the goal shouldn’t have counted.
A FIFA rule states that there should have been a drop ball.
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Meanwhile, Ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg said on Fox: “VAR can interfere if that contact of the ball on the camera cable is part of a reviewable incident.
“An attacking phase of play leading to a goal is part of the VAR reviewable incident.
“It should have been picked up by the VAR.”
However, FIFA said they checked the data and there was no peak on the graph from the connected ball heartbeat sensor.
So, it seems there was, in fact, no contact on the camera cable.
That’s something that Norway manager Stale Solbakken won’t agree with though, as he appeared to point out the contact…
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Solbakken was seen complaining to the officials at half-time about the incidentCredit: GettyConvinced
The Norwegian camp will not be happy with FIFA’s statement that the ball didn’t actually touch the camera cable.
They were convinced it had made contact, with Solbakken and Nyland both approaching the referee.
The pair could both be seen gesturing upwards towards the camera, appealing that it did hit it in the build-up.
Erling Haaland was also seen looking frustrated at the moment.
But sadly for them, the goal stood and England were given some hope just before half time after a poor performance.
After the break, the Three Lions continued to struggle though, as Norway went on to hit the bar with a header.
Neither side could score a winner in normal time in the end, with the game going to extra time in Miami.
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However, Bellingham then stepped up once again for his nation, tapping home a rebound to put England 2-1 up.
And that was enough to send the Three Lions through to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
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