A PUSH from Adam Wharton against Uruguay in March helped England to beat Norway at the World Cup.
That is according to ITV referee expert Christina Unkel, who revealed how Fifa chose to look at corners for the tournament off the back of a seemingly random Ben White goal earlier this year.
England were helped against Norway by a VAR call after Erling Haaland’s foul on Elliot Anderson Credit: ITV
World Cup rules changed after Ben White’s friendly goal against Uruguay earlier this year Credit: itv
Adam Wharton’s block on Jose Gimenez was used as training footage for refs ahead of the tournament Credit: itv
The new laws benefited the Three Lions again in Miami Credit: ITV
The Three Lions are into the semi-finals after a nervy 2-1 win over their Nordic opponents – but only after the scare of going behind twice.
When Torbjorn Heggem tapped in at the far post from a corner on 54 minutes, Thomas Tuchel‘s side looked to be a goal down again.
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But referee Clement Turpin was recommended to review an incident at the start of the set piece involving Elliot Anderson.
His new Manchester City team-mate, Erling Haaland, shoved him to the ground before the ball had been crossed and the goal was chalked out.
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It was lifeline for England – and Unkel believes White’s friendly strike at Wembley is why.
She wrote on X: “VAR milestone. Updated protocol many say would hurt England, it benefited them.
“Appears first World Cup application FIFA’s expanded Attacking Possession Phase (APP) interpretation Haaland’s push before corner resulting in Norway’s goal disallowed. Irony hard to miss..
“After Premier League season dominated by debate over pushing & blocking set pieces & FIFA used England’s March friendly vs Uruguay (Ben White’s goal/ Adam Wharton’s pre-corner block) as the training example of a goal that would no longer stand under expanded application.”
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England fans believe football is coming home with the Three Lions into the semi-finals.
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on fire… but the likes of France, Spain and Argentina all remain in the tournament.
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The White goal came after 80 minutes in the March internationals with the score at 0-0.
He got on the end of a Dominic Calvert-Lewin flick – but only after Wharton had stood in the way of Uruguay captain Jose Gimenez by the penalty spot, blocking him off.
Gimenez collapsed and complained but didn’t get anywhere.
No foul was given despite the Uruguay protests and VAR looking at the incident.
And Calvert-Lewin, who had been marked by Gimenez, went on to have a big part to play in the goal.
Little did the pair and White know they would inadvertently help England reach the semis four months later.
