Overview
- England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time on Sunday, with Jude Bellingham scoring an equaliser late in the first half and the winner in added time to send the Three Lions into the World Cup semi‑final.
- TV replays show the ball appearing to hit a Spidercam cable during the build-up to Bellingham’s first goal, a contact that Norway’s players and coach Ståle Solbakken say changed the ball’s flight and affected the outcome.
- FIFA posted that the ball’s in‑ball sensor recorded no spike in its so‑called ‘heartbeat’ before the goal and therefore found no evidence of contact, a position that has been publicly disputed by Norway and some former referees.
- Match officials and VAR did not intervene because they say the images did not clearly prove a touch, a situation that has reopened debate about how Spidercam rigs, broadcast camera systems and in‑ball sensors should be monitored and reviewed during play.
- Separately, Alexander Zverev reached the Wimbledon final to face defending champion Jannik Sinner, a match that drew high political interest with Germany’s chancellor planning to attend and that adds a major sporting storyline for the weekend.