Fifa World Cup: Alexander Sorloth under fire for Erling Haaland error in Norway defeat
Online commentators slam striker after he failed to release superstar No 9 when team led 1-0 and had England on ropes
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.