England saved by VAR as new World Cup rule used after Haaland foul | Football | Sport
England received a fortunate boost after Norway had a goal disallowed following a foul by Erling Haaland. The Three Lions were facing Norway in their quarter-final match at the World Cup in Miami, with a semi-final place at stake.
Norway had gone ahead in the first half through a long-range strike from Andreas Schjelderup, before England swiftly responded with an equaliser from Jude Bellingham in first-half added time.
However, early in the second half, Norway believed they had restored their advantage after Torbjorn Heggem scored from close range following a corner.
The goal was initially awarded on the field, but was then checked by VAR, which subsequently advised referee Clement Turpin to check the pitchside monitor.
After conducting the review, Turpin confirmed that the goal had been ruled out due to a foul by Haaland on Elliot Anderson prior to the corner being delivered.
“After review, number 9 of Norway [Haaland] pushed the defending team defender before the corner was taken,” Turpin said. “Therefore, [the] decision, corner to be retaken.”
Prior to the verdict being announced, ITV analyst and former referee Christina Unkel outlined why she anticipated the goal would be overturned.
“They’re going to be checking Haaland, there’s a full extension, VAR will be checking if that would have prevented him [Anderson] to defend that ball,” Unkel said.
“I would be surprised if there was not a recommendation to overrule the goal.”
The verdict comes after changes to the laws introduced for the World Cup, which concern fouls committed while the ball is out of play. Haaland left new Man City team-mate Elliot Anderson sprawling with a push before Norway’s corner was delivered, meaning the fresh regulation took effect.
The revised law also means that, instead of England being given a free-kick of their own, as would have occurred if the ball was already in play, the corner is permitted to be retaken.
England entered the fixture against Norway aware that triumph would secure a semi-final encounter with either Argentina or Switzerland, scheduled for Wednesday evening in Atlanta.
