Erling Haaland came agonisingly close to scoring in Norway’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to England on 13 July 2026, after Alexander Sørloth opted to shoot instead of playing a simple pass to the Manchester City striker.
The moment arrived in the 44th minute in Miami, with Norway leading 1-0 and a 2-on-1 against England’s defence. Sørloth, who had the ball at his feet, chose a contested strike rather than rolling it across to Haaland, who was unmarked inside the box. John Stones made a last-ditch block to deny the shot, and Jude Bellingham equalised minutes later. Bellingham then scored the winner in extra time, sending England to the semi-finals.
What happened in the 44th minute?
Norway were seconds away from a historic World Cup semi-final when Martin Ødegaard threaded a through ball to Sørloth and Haaland. The Atlético Madrid forward controlled the ball, looked up, and saw Stones cutting the passing lane. Sørloth took another touch and elected to shoot instead of waiting for Haaland to make a run. The attempt was blocked, and England immediately countered.
Bellingham’s equaliser arrived before half-time, and his extra-time strike sealed a 2-1 win. The result ended Norway’s best World Cup run since 1998 and left Haaland without a shot on target in the tournament.
Why Sørloth chose to shoot instead of passing
Sørloth spoke to reporters after the match and explained his decision. “I take a touch and look up, and then I see that Stones blocks that pass,” he said. “Then I take another touch, and that is too bad. I wait for him to make a move instead of me making him make a move.”
His stated aim was to create a chance for Haaland. “The only thing I want in that situation is to pass to Erling,” Sørloth added. “Then it feels like that pass isn’t there, and then I go for the shot.”
The fallout and online abuse
Sørloth’s decision sparked a wave of criticism from fans who blamed him for Norway’s elimination. His partner, Lena Selnes, revealed the couple had received death threats on social media after the defeat. “The World Cup and football bring joy, but also a lot of hatred,” she posted on Instagram. “Hope everyone can think a little extra before making such comments, regardless of the situation.”
Sørloth acknowledged the weight of the moment. “It’s heavy, and it’s those kinds of things you wish you could have done better,” he said. “I know that new opportunities will come, but it’s naturally heavy when it’s on the biggest stage and we are fighting to get to a World Cup semi-final.”
What’s next for Erling Haaland and Norway?
Norway’s World Cup run ended in disappointment, but Haaland’s star continues to rise. The Manchester City striker remains a global superstar after helping Norway reach the last eight of the tournament. England, meanwhile, advanced to their second semi-final in three World Cups.
For Haaland, the focus shifts to club duties with Manchester City as they chase Premier League and Champions League glory. Norway will regroup after a memorable campaign that announced them as genuine contenders on the world stage.