AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR

Breakfast across America brought joy to English fans this Sunday morning. Jude Bellingham, a possible hanging cable and a strong showing from Djed Spence that evoked memories of Nobby Stiles helped edge Norway aside in Miami. Historic figures from Lord Nelson to Maggie Thatcher could rest easy.

Erling Haaland endured a tough afternoon that ended in tears. His father Alf-Inge posted online with one-man team remarks and joined the conspiracy claims that mark the Geopolitics World Cup, born from Fifa’s loose handling of discipline issues.

Did Haaland Jr push Elliot Anderson to cause a disallowed Norway goal? Yes. Did the ball strike a hanging cable before Anderson started the move leading to Bellingham’s opener? Likely. Fifa stated there was no proof the ball hit the wire, yet evidence matters little where alternative facts prevail. Norway coach Ståle Solbakken accepted the outcome with calm reason. If Norwegians feel aggrieved, they can still celebrate a summer that took their side to new heights and won new admirers.

England now count down to Argentina in Atlanta under growing tension. After the match Thomas Tuchel and Bellingham’s usually cool ties turned heated. Tuchel declared he was unhappy with the display and that England had made things hard for themselves.

The remarks seemed aimed at Bellingham, who brushed them off with clear irritation. Creative friction exists in football and most fields, yet both men spoke without restraint and created fresh drama that fueled headlines. Bellingham suggested Tuchel might not grasp the conditions. In fairness he missed Tuchel’s earlier praise during the same ITV interview. It is wise not to overanalyze words from two passionate figures after a high-stakes game in heavy humidity, though the temptation remains strong.

Did this echo Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy? A Saipan repeat seems unlikely at this stage of the tournament. Could Steve Coogan portray Tuchel on screen? Or were these simply two driven figures who push each other toward excellence? Without that dynamic they might have spent Sunday apart in Wimbledon’s royal box. Both seek victory. United they offer England’s strongest path to glory.

LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE

Nothing until Tuesday? Fans can catch Daniel Harris covering Sinner versus Zverev in the Wimbledon men’s singles final at 4pm BST.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I feel for Embolo’s teammates, I don’t feel for him” – Bradley Wright-Phillips on ITV after Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time, following Breel Embolo’s second yellow card for diving. Switzerland’s coach Murat Yakin called the decision hard to accept and said the rule harmed the match.

RECOMMENDED FOLLOWING

Big Website’s football YouTube channel offers the latest clips, including scenes of England supporters celebrating.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

After nearly a month with the Football Daily I must say the Private Eye style is not landing. There is not enough humor and repetition of GWC grows dull, especially with limited focus on the global conflict side. The varied attribution verbs worked only a couple of times – Rich Zahradnik.

I know this letter will stay unpublished because you favor England above all. You claim independence yet bow to Infantino and Turpin. Accepting this path leads toward racism and injustice. Shame on you – Odd Magne Grøntvedt from Norway.

Memory Lane missed a chance by not linking to David Squires’s brilliant take on an earlier Norway-England game set to Godspeed You Black Emperor’s Dead Flag Blues – Paul Vickers.

Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter of the day goes to Paul Vickers.

This is an extract from our daily football email, Football Daily. Visit the page for the full version.