Alfie Haaland lashes out at referee after Bellingham's brace sends England past Norway

Jude Bellingham’s brace sealed a 2-1 extra-time victory for England over Norway in the World Cup quarter-final, but the fallout from the match has been dominated by the reaction of Alfie Haaland — father of Erling and a former Norway international — who publicly accused the referee of costing his country the game.

England fell behind in the first half, with Harry Kane believing he was fouled in the build-up to Norway’s opener. Bellingham levelled just before the break, though Norway’s staff immediately claimed the ball had struck a cable before crossing the line. The second half brought further controversy when a Haaland goal was ruled out by VAR after the striker was adjudged to have pushed Elliot Anderson at a corner. England then had a penalty overturned in extra time following a challenge on Djed Spence, before Bellingham settled the tie with his second goal to send Thomas Tuchel’s side into the semi-finals.

In the immediate aftermath of the penalty reversal, television cameras caught Alfie Haaland in the stands appearing to direct a diving gesture toward England supporters, followed by a two-fingered gesture and what appeared to be an expletive. He did not stop there. On social media after the final whistle, he wrote: “Well done Bellingham and referee.” The following morning he added: “Saved bye the referee. Hope you win the WC now. But feel we got robbed today.”

The posts drew a swift response from supporters. “I’d genuinely love to know how they were ‘robbed’,” one fan wrote. “They had a goal disallowed for a blatant foul. There was also an extremely debatable foul in the build-up to their goal and the ref overturned a penalty for England.” Another pointed out: “I mean we had a clear penalty overturned mate. Wouldn’t say the ref favoured us at all.”

Erling Haaland himself had a difficult evening by his own standards, kept relatively quiet by England’s defence before being substituted during extra time — a decision that surprised many watching.

Alfie Haaland was not alone in his frustration. Norway winger Andreas Schjelderup also criticised the officiating after the match. “Unfortunately, the margins were against us, the odds were against us,” Schjelderup said. “Some decisions by the referee were a bit bitter.”

England now advance to the World Cup semi-finals, with Bellingham’s match-winning double cementing his status as the tournament’s standout performer.