Ex-FIFA ref 'forensically' analyses Ezri Konsa penalty incident in England win vs Norway

Ezri Konsa correctly avoided giving away a late penalty during England's dramatic win over Norway at the 2026 World Cup.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that fans often forget that football is supposed to be a contact sport.

In the 76th minute, with Erling Haaland's Norway chasing a deserved winner at the Miami Stadium, Kristoffer Ajer created pandemonium inside the penatly area.

The defender's header bounced off the crossbar, and as Sander Berge attempted to win the follow-up, he was bundled over by a towering Konsa.

Neither referee Clement Turpin nor VAR were interested in awarding a penalty, allowing the Three Lions to escape yet another dangerous moment.

Jude Bellingham would eventually send Thomas Tuchel's side through in extra time with his second of the game, but it was certainly a heart-in-mouth moment.

Keith Hackett remains Norway that football is a 'contact sport'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett didn't entertain the idea of a penalty at all, praising Turpin and VAR for not interfering in his incident.

"I think what we have to recognise is that football is a contact sport, and a coming together is part and parcel of football," he said.

"When a players or two players are off the ground jumping for a ball, their ability to physically push or involve starts when they're on the ground level.

"That's when they start to make the movement. For me, two players going for the ball. I didn't see anything untoward. I wouldn't expect a free kick or a penalty to be awarded.

"I think it was just part and parcel football. And I think we're forgetting that at times. We're looking at the game forensically.

"And we're forgetting that football is a contact sport. So for me I think the referees judged it right. Non-interference."

What did Clement Turpin get wrong?

Supporters have been left frustrated by referees' lack of intervention all tournament, and that was evident once again on Saturday, 11 July.

Just eight minutes into the game, Arsenal's Martin Odegaard kicked the ball away as England attempted to take a quick free-kick. That's an easy yellow card in the Premier League.

Many England fans also felt that Norway's disallowed goal was harsh, with Haaland being punished for a push on Elliot Anderson inside the penalty area.

In addition to that, there was plenty of debate around a potential foul on Harry Kane before Norway's stunning opener from Andreas Schjelderup.

A free-kick could have easily been awarded, and had the Three Lions gone on to lose, the debate around his moment would certainly be a lot louder.