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Mike Chan

Norway bowed out of the World Cup on Saturday in Miami, losing 2-1 to England after extra-time, and for once Erling Haaland’s performance was not the main talking point.
The first of Jude Bellingham’s match-winning double cancelled out Andreas Schjelderup’s opener, just minutes after the Three Lions escaped falling two goals behind.
In the 44th minute, a Norwegian counter-attack found Alexander Sorloth in a 2-on-1 against John Stones, with an unmarked Haaland to his left.
Sorloth opted not to pass, kept the ball until England’s defenders tracked back, and made a clumsy dribble before seeing his deflected shot collected by Jordan Pickford.
The internet was not kind to the Atletico Madrid frontman following his mistake.

While most comments called Sorloth “stupid”, “an idiot” and “selfish”, other commentators took it to the next level, suggesting the 30-year-old striker’s entire World Cup will be remembered for his decision to ignore Haaland.
“To me, Sorloth is Norwegian for ‘useless’,” said one commentator.
“I don’t think I have ever seen a more wide-open Haaland,” read a comment.
“Sorloth should be tried for treason in Norway,” said another commentator.
Fans also flocked to Sorloth’s Instagram and left comments in his latest post, published six days ago, asking him if it was difficult to pass the ball.
“You had three choices, 1. Pass the ball to Haaland, 2. Pass the ball to Haaland and 3. Pass the ball to Haaland, and you did nothing,” read one comment.
Even Chinese social media users pushed the first-half incident to become one of the trending topics on Weibo.
“If you’re not going to pass, then shoot decisively; no one will blame you if you don’t score,” one Weibo user wrote. “Besides, Haaland is on the other side; he might even have a chance to follow up with a shot.”
“Just cut in a bit, and it’s an easy pass to Haaland; he picked an excellent position, far enough away from the defenders, leaving plenty of space for Sorloth; what a pity,” said another commentator.
England’s equaliser, which arrived after the ball appeared to have hit a camera cable mid-air in the lead-up and could have been chalked off, also drew lots of comments online.
“The ball has a chip so precise that it can detect when it touches a player’s hair but not a f***ing steel cable?” said one furious commentator.
Another commentator replied, “Even after the ball hit the cable, England’s build-up took quite some time, and Norway were not short of defenders at the back, so it’s fate.”
With his two goals at Miami Stadium, Bellingham now has 12 international goals, nine of which were scored at World Cups and the European Championship.
In the round of 16 match against Mexico at Azteca Stadium, the Real Madrid midfielder also netted a brace, making him the youngest player – at 23 years and 12 days – to score twice in consecutive World Cup knockout matches since the 1958 tournament, when Brazilian legend Pele managed the feat at 17 years and 249 days old
In six matches at the current World Cup, Bellingham and captain Harry Kane have scored 12 of England’s 13 goals, with each netting six. Marcus Rashford supplied the final goal in a 4-2 group-stage win over Croatia.
It is the first time in 96 years of World Cup history that two players from the same team have each scored at least six goals in the same tournament.


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Fifa World Cup: Alexander Sorloth under fire for Erling Haaland error in Norway defeat

Alexander Sorloth aims his weak shot against Nico O’Reilly after choosing not to pass to Erling Haaland. Photo: AFP

Alexander Sorloth buries his head in his hands after opting against a pass to Erling Haaland. Photo: Getty Images

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Jude Bellingham strikes a familiar pose after his winning goal for England against Norway. Photo: Reuters

Andreas Schjelderup’s first-half strike drifts beyond Jordan Pickford in the England goal. Photo: AFP

Thomas Tuchel cannot mask his frustration on the sideline in Miami. Photo: AFP

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Sport

Football

Online commentators slam striker after he failed to release superstar No 9 when team led 1-0 and had England on ropes


Online commentators slam striker after he failed to release superstar No 9 when team led 1-0 and had England on ropes.


Erling Haaland

Fifa World Cup: Alexander Sorloth under fire for Erling Haaland error in Norway defeat

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Online commentators slam striker after he failed to release superstar No 9 when team led 1-0 and had England on ropes

Online commentators slam striker after he failed to release superstar No 9 when team led 1-0 and had England on ropes