What a squeaker! England are through to the next round of the FIFA World Cup 2026, but it's fair to say they've had a bit of luck on their side. The dramatic disallowed goal by Norway's Torbjorn Heggem in the second half has left pundits and fans alike scratching their heads, with even former Lionesses star Ellen White calling it 'fortunate' for England.
The pivotal moment saw Heggem slot home the equaliser, but his effort was ruled out after Norwegian striker Erling Haaland was deemed to have fouled England's Elliott Anderson in the build-up. Replays and analysis have sparked a heated debate over whether the referee made the right call – and we can't say for certain one way or the other.
Speaking after the match, BBC Sport World Cup pundit Wayne Rooney echoed White's sentiments, saying England 'got lucky' with the decision. The former England captain knows a thing or two about high-pressure situations, and his comments have added fuel to the fire of debate surrounding the disallowed goal.
The incident has raised questions about refereeing standards and the effectiveness of VAR technology in major tournaments. Can we really trust that these high-stakes decisions are being made with absolute accuracy? For England's fans, the silver lining is that their team will now focus on what they do best – taking to the pitch with confidence and determination.
But for how long can England rely on a bit of good fortune? They'll need to find consistency and build momentum if they're going to make a genuine push in this World Cup. The road ahead won't get any easier, so it's time for the Three Lions to show us what they're truly made of.