– It’s completely incomprehensible, it’s all buzz and commotion.
That’s what Aleksander Schau said in NRK’s halftime broadcast of the big match between England and France.
The reigning European champions, England, looked to have a perfect start to the European Championship with an early lead against France.
But Arsenal striker Alessia Russo’s goal was disallowed for a fine offside. That it was actually offside was not easy to see.
– I don’t know, they tried to explain it with some pictures, from a VAR bus or something like that. But it’s still completely incomprehensible, Schau said and continued.
England coach Sarina Wiegman was very disappointed after the match.
– I’m very disappointed with the result. We started well and scored one goal, but it didn’t count. We played ourselves out, she told ITV after the match.
See all the goals at the bottom of the article.
See all the goals at the bottom of the article.
NRK studio reacts to the annulment of England’s goal against France in the European Football Championship.
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NRK studio reacts to the annulment of England’s goal against France in the European Football Championship.
When the offside graphic was shown during the match, it was not possible to see where Russo was offside.
– You can be for or against VAR, but to say that this is clear evidence of anything, I don’t think you can say that with your hand on your heart.
With a disallowed goal and an efficient French team, England were down 0–2 at half-time. This made for a very difficult starting point for the second half.
Group D is referred to as the “group of death”, earlier on Saturday evening the Netherlands won 3–0 against Wales.
Former national team player Solveig Gulbrandsen was also in the studio; she was concerned that Russo had not gained any advantage.
– This is not fair, Solveig Gulbrandsen followed and continued:
– This is not some kind of cheating, she didn’t start falsely.
They didn’t understand much of the graphics even during the commentary session.
– “Of all days,” was NRK’s expert commentator Kristoffer Løkberg’s reaction when he saw the graphic.
– I still don’t see the offside, commentator Patrick Rowlands followed up.
– Huh?, said a shocked expert.
CANCELED: Alessia Russo thought she gave England the lead against France.
Effective France
France countered England’s attacking play, and when France striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto waited inside the box, she easily put the ball into the goal.
– It is of course an excellent move by Katoto, said Løkberg.
He thought it was a brilliant move for France, who put the ball in the net twice in the space of four minutes.
Élisa De Almeida made a brilliant tackle, then it was a Baltimore show in the England half.
England captain Leah Williamson believed they lost because of weak defending.
– There is weak defense in one-on-one situations. We learned from our mistakes, and grew beyond the game, the captain told British ITV after the game.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto: Mål (35:22)
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France’s left winger Sandy Baltimore did the rest on his own, feinting several England players before slotting the ball into the far corner.
– It’s pure skill when she pushes the ball up the crossbar, said NRK’s expert Kristoffer Løkberg.
After a short VAR check, the goal stood.
Sandy Baltimore: Mål (38:25)
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Renewed hope
Towards the end of the match, England nevertheless had renewed hope.
For England, it was the reserve team. Then Keira Walsh was able to put the ball in the goal in the 87th minute.
– It’s a set piece that’s just being relaxed, said Løkberg.
Keira Walsh ignites hope for England
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In the final minutes, England were very close to equalizing, and one minute before the end, France saved on the line.
England didn’t come any closer, and thus France took a very important victory in Group D.