New Delhi: Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth and his partner, Lena Selnes, have been targeted with severe online abuse, including death threats and calls to suicide, after Norway’s 2-1 extra-time defeat against England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. The severe online backlash erupted over a highly controversial moment in the 44th minute of the first half.
While Norway was leading 1-0, the Atletico Madrid striker received a pass on a counter-attack and decided to shoot instead of passing to a completely open Erling Haaland. Sorloth’s shot was blocked, and England later went on to draw in the match within 90 minutes. During the extra time, Bellingham scored his second of the day to seal the match.
In an Instagram story, Selnes shared the comments that his partner had been receiving over a few days.
While one comment stated, “Tell ur husband to leave Norway and jump from a cliff,” another stated, “Gonna kill him.”
Former England striker Alan Shearer said that England were lucky to walk away with a draw in 90 minutes.
“Sorloth should have played through Haaland with speed much earlier. He chose not to do it, and then there was no way through. He ran straight into traffic,” he had said.
‘Wanted to pass to Haaland’
After the defeat, Sorloth explained why he did not choose to pass the ball.
Speaking at a press conference, he said, “I take a touch and look up, and then I see that Stones blocks that pass. Then I take another touch, and that is too bad. I wait for him to make a move instead of me making him make a move. The only thing I want in that situation there is to pass to Erling. Then it feels like that pass isn’t there, and then I go for the shot.”
The 30-year-old striker said that his initial intention was to find Haaland, but he felt the pass would have been blocked by the defenders.
On the defeat, Sorloth told VG that it feels heavy when it’s happening in the world’s biggest football tournament.
“It’s those kinds of things you wish you could have done better. I know that new opportunities will come, but it’s naturally heavy when it’s on the biggest stage, and we are fighting to get to a World Cup semi-final,” he added.
Also read: Teams that control midfield have upper hand in 2026 FIFA World Cup, says Oliver Kahn
Norway’s historic run
Norway’s historic run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup shattered all previous national football records, culminating in their deepest-ever tournament appearance. Led by captain Martin Odegaard and Haaland, the “Vikings” captured global attention by winning their first-ever World Cup knockout matches against the Ivory Coast and Brazil in the Round of 32 and Round of 16, respectively.
Haaland and Odegaard were the central forces in the team. While Haaland scored seven goals in the tournament, Odegaard completed 102 passes in the final third.
Meanwhile, the “Viking Row” emerged as the most viral fan ritual of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Norway. Originating as a grassroots idea just before the tournament, it involves thousands of supporters sitting or crouching shoulder-to-shoulder, pulling imaginary oars, and chanting “Ro!” (“Row” in Norwegian) in synchronisation.