Alexander Sorloth (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Norway striker Alexander Sørloth has reportedly received tens of thousands of abusive messages, including death threats, after his team's quarter-final defeat to England.
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Alexander Sørloth and his family have become the targets of a wave of online abuse following Norway's dramatic 2-1 extra-time defeat to England in the World Cup quarter-finals.
According to posts shared by the family, the Atlético Madrid striker has received an overwhelming number of abusive messages on social media after the match, with many focusing on the missed opportunity late in the first half when he chose not to pass to Erling Haaland during a dangerous counterattack.
Under Sørloth's latest Instagram post, more than 85,000 comments appeared, many of them insulting. His family also said they received messages containing death threats and calls for the striker to take his own life.
The abuse prompted Sørloth's partner, Lena Selnes, to speak publicly.
She shared screenshots of some of the messages on social media and appealed for people to remember there are real people behind the players they criticize.
"The World Cup and football bring a lot of joy, but also a lot of hatred. I didn't want to pay attention to this, but after comments like this, I feel I simply have to react. I hope everyone can think a little more before writing things like this, regardless of the situation and events on the field," she wrote.
The criticism stems from one of the defining moments of Norway's elimination. Shortly before half-time, Sørloth led a counterattack with Haaland free to his left. Instead of playing the pass, the striker carried the ball forward before his effort was blocked, allowing England to recover.
Minutes later, Jude Bellingham equalised, changing the momentum of the match before England completed a 2-1 extra-time comeback.
Sørloth has since explained the decision that has dominated discussion in Norway.
"I received the ball, made a touch and looked up. In that second, I saw that John Stones was blocking the passing lane to Erling with his body and position. Then I made another touch, which was a bad decision. I was waiting for the defender to react instead of forcing him to make a move."
"My only desire at that moment was to pass the ball to Erling. However, in that split second, I felt the pass was closed, so I decided to move wider and shoot. Unfortunately, it turned out badly."
Norway's disappointment after missing out on a place in the semi-finals has been immense, but the abuse directed at Sørloth and his family has highlighted the darker side of modern football, where criticism of performances can quickly escalate into personal harassment and threats.