It was arguably one of the most bizarre moments of the recent World Cup. Jude Bellingham scored England's equalizer in the second minute of injury time. However, something unprecedented reportedly occurred just before that.
Controversial Goal
During a goal kick from Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, the ball soared so high it came close to the aerial camera suspended in the stadium. According to the Norwegians, the ball struck one of the camera's metal wires, altering its trajectory and sending it towards the English players.
At the time, no spectator noticed, but after the match, footage emerged that purportedly showed the ball grazing a metal wire. The images were quite unclear, yet the Norwegians remained confident.
However, FIFA quickly put an end to the discussion. They reviewed data from the ball's sensor, which indicated that the ball did not touch anything, as the federation stated. "Therefore, there is no evidence that the ball touched anything that would alter its trajectory."
This World Cup features a ball with an internal sensor capable of measuring every touch. This technology was introduced to detect incidents like handballs or other questionable situations where it's unclear if the ball was touched.
FIFA likely never anticipated such a scenario but swiftly provided clarification. England's goal is thus officially valid, and the score will remain unchanged. England eliminated Norway with a 2-1 victory, with Bellingham scoring both goals. England required extra time to secure the win.
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