Keane suggests alcohol clouded Alf-Inge Haaland's view of England's World Cup win over Norway

Roy Keane has hit back at Alf-Inge Haaland following the Norwegian’s bitter reaction to England’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in their World Cup semi-final on Saturday, suggesting the former Manchester City defender may have been drinking when he watched the game.

Alf-Inge posted on X after the final whistle: “Well done Bellingham and referee” — a pointed dig at referee Clement Turpin, who disallowed what would have been a 2-1 Norway lead when VAR ruled that Erling Haaland had pushed Elliot Anderson before Torbjorn Heggem poked the ball into the net from close range early in the second half.

Keane, speaking on Stick To Football, was dismissive of the complaint. “Will he remember the game? Because he always seems to be drinking alcohol at the matches, the dad,” Keane said. “If you’re having a drink then you’re seeing the game differently. Listen, the push is a push and then he heads it, so there you go. Families and fans after games, 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.”

The match itself was a scrappy affair for much of its duration. Andreas Schjelderup gave Norway a surprise lead when a mishit cross from wide somehow found its way past Jordan Pickford. Jude Bellingham levelled before half-time with a composed finish inside the box, and then won the tie in extra time from close range to send England into the semi-finals.

Gary Neville backed Keane’s reading of the officiating. “I didn’t think it was a game where, as an England fan, I thought we were lucky because of the referee,” Neville said. “I thought against Ghana we were lucky, when Ezri Konsa’s penalty wasn’t given — that’s when you are lucky, when you think you’ve got away with one.”

Ian Wright was equally unsympathetic toward Alf-Inge’s post-match message. “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,” Wright said.

England now advance to the World Cup semi-finals, with Bellingham’s brace proving the decisive contribution in a tie that Norway will feel they had the chances to win.