England’s Controversial Goal and Norway’s Reaction
“At the risk of being the 1,000th to say it – it’s the Cable of God,” jokes George Peacock. Get those gags in now folks because there will be enough “of God” references over the coming days to last a lifetime.
Norway were aggrieved that England’s opening goal was allowed to stand after the ball appeared to strike a cable attached to one of the overhead TV cameras, allowing Elliot Anderson to accept possession unopposed and feed assist-maker Anthony Gordon.
“I can sit here and cry but I don’t want to do that,” remarked Ståle Solbakken. “We have done everything we could – the players have been phenomenal throughout the tournament. OK it was bizarre but it’s part of football and why it is the best sport in the world because things like that can happen. We have to accept it.”
Fifa released a statement saying a sensor in the ball showed no evidence it had touched a cable.
Player Performances and Tactical Observations
Our own Ed Aarons rated Noni Madueke as England’s poorest performer. On US TV Zlatan Ibrahimovic kept the internet furnace stoked with a half-time rant that suggested England were effectively playing with 10 men.
Thomas Tuchel has clearly done extremely well to reach the semi-finals of the tournament but the number of unused and underperforming members of his squad will make for interesting historical analysis.
There were some handy cameos elsewhere though with Djed Spence making an impact at left back, Morgan Rogers adding much needed energy, and Dan Burn reminding everyone that even in the modern passing and possession era it’s perfectly fine to stick on a big fella when you’re defending a lead and enjoy watching him head crosses away.
Omission of Kobbie Mainoo and Tactical Decisions
Barney touches on the bewildering omission of Kobbie Mainoo. The Manchester United midfielder has played no part in England’s campaign so far despite being a reasonable option off the bench in his team’s first five matches and the blindingly obvious one in their sixth.
Tuchel went to absurd lengths to avoid playing him against Norway, instead starting a desiccated Declan Rice, replacing him with Eberechi Eze in an advanced role that destabilised the entire structure, followed by a half-fit right fullback Reece James as he played whack-a-mole to problems of his own making.
“Across those 120 minutes the central midfield duo went from Declan Rice and Anderson to Bellingham and Anderson, to Reece James and Anderson, to Morgan Rogers and Anderson. Not Kobbie Mainoo, notably, who is presumably behind David Beckham, a cone, a giant lizard and the TV camera cable in the running for a spot. Why is Mainoo here? Why is Adam Wharton not here? These are questions deserving of a genuine answer.”
Jude Bellingham’s Impact and Team Concerns
Barney Ronay was in Miami to witness the latest instalment of the Jude Bellingham force of will tour. Beneath the deserved adulation for England’s two-goal hero there is no shortage of concern for a team that has lost its spark and a coach that no longer seems to know his best XI.
“At times this felt like the familiar England parade of we are the hollow men, stuffed men, waiting for the game to happen to them, football as a slow suffocation in that thick sweet air. But they also had Jude Bellingham, who seems increasingly to exist as an entirely different category of human in this team, out there playing a parallel tournament, one that has to this point swept the rest of them along in its wake.”
Whether you’re just catching your breath after an epic double header, or waking up to the news of a pair of thrilling quarter-finals, stick with us here for all the news and reaction from a gripping 2026.
Semifinalists and Tournament Overview
Just four teams remain alive in the draw with England and Argentina joining France and Spain in the semis. For the first time since FIFA’s rankings began in 1992 the World Cup semi-finalists are the top four sides in the world on paper.
England were made to toil in the Miami heat by Norway but not for the first time Jude Bellingham delivered when it mattered on the big stage.
Argentina also required extra-time to battle past European opposition; their hero was Julian Alvarez, but they also owe Breel Embolo a debt of gratitude for getting himself sent off when Switzerland had an historic result in their sights.
If you have any thoughts on any of the above, or indeed anything else World Cup related, do get in touch with an email – jonathan.howcroft.freelance@the.com. Let’s get into it!
