A strange trajectory, a unique form of fan support, a brawl between journalists, and a silly injury: these are the oddities and curiosities that marked the World Cup finals that came to an end on Sunday with Spain's victory over Argentina.

. An unsolved mystery

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The match was in its dying moments of first-half stoppage time in the quarter-final between England and Norway. After a clearance by Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, the ball rose in the air, but its trajectory suddenly changed before falling at the feet of English midfielder Elliot Anderson, and then to Anthony Gordon who set up Jude Bellingham to equalize. The Norwegians protested to French referee Clément Turpin, arguing that the ball had hit an overhead cable carrying the moving camera above the pitch. According to FIFA regulations, such an interference should have led to a stoppage in play. But the French referee allowed the goal. FIFA later explained that the sensor embedded in the ball did not emit any signal indicating contact with the cable. The same technology had denied Croatia a goal during their loss to Portugal in the round of 32. But Norway coach Ståle Solbakken believed that "the ball fell directly in front of the substitutes' bench, so that's what actually happened."

. The Vikings and the "Tartan Army"

Suddenly, the stands, entirely covered in red, began to move forward and backward in unison. It was the Norwegian crowd imitating, to the beat of drums, the rowing motion of Viking ships. This celebration spread widely, invading stadiums, their surroundings, and even Times Square in New York. Solbakken said: "It is a symbol of unity and celebrating together in small and large towns in Norway. It is a sign that we are all together, and that it is a wonderful summer to be a fan." As for the Scottish "Tartan Army," which had been denied World Cup participation for 28 years due to their national team's absence from the finals, they made up for lost time in the streets and pubs of Boston. On June 14, more than five thousand fans marched towards Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, to the sound of bagpipes, celebrating a 1-0 victory over Haiti in the opening round. Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said: "Scottish kilts and Scottish flags filled our stadium with an atmosphere unmatched in American sports." But that win was not enough to reach the round of 32.

. An overly strict policeman

An American policeman got into a heated argument with an official from the Egyptian national team: the surreal scene occurred on July 2 at the hotel where the "Pharaohs" were staying in Dallas, when a police officer decided to clear the hotel entrance and pushed several members of the Egyptian delegation, including team manager Ibrahim Hassan, who confronted him, leading the officer to grab him by the collar. The situation quickly calmed down, and the Dallas police apologized to the team, which accepted.

. Vozinha... from tears to joy

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, aged 40, made history in this edition of the World Cup thanks to his saves and fighting spirit, especially against Lionel Messi's Argentina in the round of 32. But he had cried during the group stage after keeping a clean sheet against Spain, because his mother was unable to travel to the United States due to "not having enough money in time" to obtain a visa. In the end, his mother was able to follow her son's achievements from the stands against Uruguay (2-2), Saudi Arabia (0-0), and then Argentina (2-3 after extra time).

. A brawl between colleagues

"Why did you hit me? He hit me!" shouted a Moroccan journalist during a press conference on the eve of the quarter-final against France. Another journalist replied: "Because you raised your hand twice in front of the camera." All this in front of the Atlas Lions' playmaker and Real Madrid forward Ibrahim Diaz, who looked so embarrassed that he forgot the question asked of him. Morocco coach Mohamed Ouhibi then suggested: "Let's do as in school, separate you two for a while," before the press conference resumed its normal course.

. A silly injury

England midfielder Jordan Henderson celebrated the victory over Mexico (3-2) that gave the "Three Lions" a ticket to the quarter-finals with the fans. But he broke his left arm after falling while stepping over an advertising hoarding to return to the pitch. He was therefore forced to withdraw from the rest of the tournament. In the England dressing room, defender John Stones played a childish prank by convincing coach Thomas Tuchel that he too had suffered a shoulder injury.

. Balogun controversy

The World Cup remained largely free of off-pitch controversy until Folarin Balogun found himself at the center of a political storm. The American striker, who had scored three goals, was sent off in his team's match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, which would have ruled him out of the next match. But FIFA intervened and suspended the punishment, sparking a wave of criticism, especially after it emerged that US President Donald Trump had intervened in the case. The hosts then suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat to Belgium in the round of 16, with Balogun making little impact. The 25-year-old player admitted after the match that this issue had put additional pressure on the team.