Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth, 30, has become the target of harsh criticism from fans after Norway’s exit from the 2026 World Cup in the quarter-finals. The national team, managed by Stale Solbakken, lost to England with a final score of 2-1 after extra time. Upon returning home, the team was greeted as heroes, but Sorloth faced a wave of backlash over his performance.
Following the defeat, Sorloth was bombarded with approximately 85,000 insulting messages on social media. The trigger for this outrage was a key moment in the first half when, instead of passing to a better-positioned Erling Haaland, Sorloth attempted to score himself, missing the opportunity to secure a crucial goal.
Lena Selnes Speaks Out About Online Abuse
Sorloth’s girlfriend, Lena Selnes, felt compelled to address the situation publicly. She shared on social media the distressing comments the couple has received, including threats of violence. Among the disturbing messages were comments like, “I will kill him,” and, “Hope you die.” Selnes expressed her frustration, stating, “Football brings both great joy and a lot of hate. I felt I had to react after such comments. Everyone should reflect more before posting such things, regardless of the circumstances on the field.”
“Football brings both great joy and a lot of hate. I felt I had to react after such comments.” – Lena Selnes
Sorloth Reflects on the Controversial Play
In a response to the backlash, Sorloth clarified his actions during the missed opportunity. He explained, “After my first touch, I looked up and saw Stones blocking the pass angle. I touched the ball again, but my control was poor. I should have been the one moving first to disrupt his positioning, but instead, I waited for him to initiate the play.” He added, “What I wanted most was to pass to Erling, but it seemed like it wouldn’t work, so I chose to shoot instead. It’s very tough. I keep thinking I should have executed that moment better. Of course, other chances will come, but it’s much harder because it happened on the biggest stage, where a place in the World Cup semi-finals was at stake.”
Concerns Surrounding Haaland’s Condition
Erling Haaland’s performance was also scrutinized during the match. Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino noted that Haaland appeared to be unwell and was substituted for medical reasons. He mentioned receiving information at halftime indicating that Haaland was suffering from an illness, stating, “He did not look physically well… I was surprised he had no energy and hardly touched the ball.”
