Norway’s World Cup exit sparks online abuse
The girlfriend of one of Erling Haaland’s Norway team-mates has spoken out after revealing they have received a torrent of abuse following the country’s heartbreaking World Cup exit to England, reports BritPanorama.
Lena Selnes issued a statement after striker Alexander Sorloth became the target of furious supporters following Saturday’s quarter-final defeat in Miami. Norway had initially taken the lead with a goal from Andreas Schjelderup, but the match turned decisively against them just before half-time.
As Sorloth raced towards goal with Haaland open for a pass, he chose instead to attempt to surpass England defender John Stones. The opportunity slipped away, leading to Haaland’s visible frustration. Moments later, England equalised through Jude Bellingham, who later struck again in extra time, propelling Thomas Tuchel’s side into a semi-final clash with Argentina.
Following the match, Sorloth admitted he initially intended to pass to Haaland. “I take a touch and look up, and then I see that Stones blocks that pass,” he explained. The ensuing criticism directed at him prompted Selnes to publicly share abusive messages they received, including death threats, calling for a more thoughtful approach from fans online. “The World Cup and football bring a lot of joy, but also a lot of hate,” she stated.
Norway’s exit was further complicated by controversy surrounding England’s equaliser, with some players believing the ball had hit an overhead Spidercam cable during the buildup. However, FIFA confirmed through Connected Ball technology that there was no such contact, thus maintaining the legitimacy of the goal.
Despite the disappointment, Norway’s journey to the quarter-finals marked their best performance in the World Cup since 1998, having previously stunned Brazil in the last 16. Looking ahead, the question remains whether they can build on this foundation for the next tournament in 2030.
As the dust settles on this encounter, the incident underscores how the passion of football can just as easily evolve into vitriol, leaving a stark reminder of the fine line players tread post-match.
