A dramatic moment in the first half of extra time during England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway saw a penalty awarded to the Three Lions overturned following a VAR review. The incident occurred in Miami, with Djed Spence going down under a challenge from Norway's Oscar Bobb. Referee initially pointed to the spot, but after consulting the pitchside monitor, he reversed his decision, ruling that Spence had initiated the contact.
The Incident
As England pressed for a winner in extra time, Spence burst into the box and collided with Bobb. The on-field official saw enough to award a penalty, but VAR quickly intervened. Replays showed that Spence appeared to move into Bobb's path, with the Norwegian defender making no deliberate challenge. After reviewing the footage, the referee determined that the contact was not a foul and overturned the call.
Was VAR Correct?
Under IFAB protocols, VAR can only overturn a decision if there is a "clear and obvious error." In this case, the evidence suggested that Spence, rather than Bobb, was the instigator. Pundits and analysts generally supported the reversal, noting that the minimal contact did not meet the threshold for a penalty. The decision aligned with the modern interpretation that attackers cannot engineer contact to win spot-kicks.
Key Facts
Match: Norway vs. England, FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final
Minute: First half of extra time
Initial Decision: Penalty to England
VAR Intervention: Overturned; no penalty
Reason: Djed Spence initiated contact with Oscar Bobb
Impact on the Match
The overturned penalty did not derail England's momentum. Jude Bellingham scored his second goal of the game shortly after to give England a 2-1 lead, a strike that proved decisive. The win sent England through to a semi-final clash against Argentina or Switzerland.
Fans can watch full highlights and analysis on BBC Sport (UK only), while the semi-final will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday, 15 July.
