Norway’s World Cup run ended in the quarterfinals against England, 2-1. But the real story isn’t the final score. It’s one missed pass in the 43rd minute, and the social media firestorm that followed.
Alexander Sorloth had a clear path to Erling Haaland. Norway was up 1-0. Instead of sliding the ball to the open man, Sorloth took a shot himself. He missed. England turned the game around in the second half, and Norway went home. The entire thing was caught on camera, and the internet hasn’t let it go.
Logan Paul, who has apparently been locked into World Cup coverage, saw the clip and went off. The former WWE champion and celebrity influencer didn’t hold back. He posted a rant putting the whole loss on Sorloth.
“I keep seeing that clip of the dude not passing the ball & I’m so gutted for Haaland. The entire country of Norway lost because one guy wanted to have a moment,” Paul wrote.
He’s not the only one who felt that way. Social media lit up after the game. Sorloth was hit with waves of criticism. Fans pointed out that Haaland had a clear run at goal. One decision changed the whole trajectory of the match.
Sorloth explains himself
In the press conference after the loss, Sorloth tried to break down what happened in real time. He said he saw England defender John Stones in a position to block a pass to Haaland. So he held the ball, then took another touch. By then, the window was gone.
“I take a touch and look up, and then I see that Stones blocks that pass,” Sorloth said. “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.”
It’s the kind of explanation that makes sense in the moment but looks terrible in slow motion replay. And the replay is all anyone’s talking about now.
Norway was seen as a real threat in this tournament. They played with confidence and had the best striker in the world leading the line. But one split-second decision turned Sorloth from a key contributor into the guy who cost his country a shot at the semifinals.
He’ll have to live with that. And Logan Paul won’t let him forget it.
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