CORNERFLICK
Ståle Solbakken said Norway’s World Cup 2026 exit to England was shaped by bad luck, not a lack of effort from his players.
After the defeat, Solbakken said he felt sorry for his squad and described football at this level as a game of extremes. He pointed to Norway’s earlier win over Brazil as an example of the other side of the coin, saying his team had been on the fortunate end then.
Against England, he said, the breaks went the other way. Norway endured a difficult first 20 minutes, then produced what he called a heroic response, but England gradually grew into the match and Norway reacted too slowly.
Solbakken also addressed the disallowed second Norway goal in normal time, which was ruled out after a foul by Erling Haaland. He said such moments happen in football and do not always go a team’s way. He ended by wishing England well for the rest of the tournament.