“Her reactions were slightly slower than mine,” the former England soccer captain joked
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/beckhams-england-norway-071426-359ed31beb2047d5a5c00164ead16dc5.jpg "From left, Cruz Beckham, his girlfriend Jackie Apostel, Harper Beckham, Victoria Beckham, David Beckham, above him Romeo Beckham celebrate the victory following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final football match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium")
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David Beckham defended his wife, Victoria, after her reaction to England’s winning goal against Norway went viral
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Victoria didn’t seem to react to the goal, in contrast to her husband and children, but David said she was “celebrating inside”
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England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time to reach the semifinals of the World Cup, with star midfielder Jude Bellingham scoring both goals
Victoria Beckham might have been happier than she let on after her reaction — or lack of — to one of England’s biggest World Cup moments went viral.
On Saturday, July 11, star midfielder Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal to fire England to the semifinals of the tournament.
England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time on Saturday, July 11, with the 23-year-old star scoring both goals to turn the game around after Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup scored the opponent’s sole point.
Victoria, 52, and her husband, David Beckham, 51, were there at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium with their children Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 15 to see the victory in person.
Credit: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty
They were also joined by Romeo’s girlfriend Kim Turnbull and Cruz’s girlfriend, Jackie Apostel.
Bellingham’s winner prompted wild celebrations in the Beckhams’ box, with former England captain David jumping up and punching the air and his children also looking jubilant, but Victoria remained seated and didn’t appear to react to the goal, simply reaching for her phone to take a photo.
After her reaction went viral online, comedian Jenny Johnson poked fun at the former Spice Girl in an Instagram post.
“I wanted to take a moment to single out England’s number one fan Victoria, Lady Beckham!” she began.
“There’s nothing like cheering your heart out for England from home, then they cut to Victoria and we see that classic Posh Spice smile! It’s so infectious! I used to think I got animated while watching sports, but Victoria blows my enthusiasm out of the water!
“Each time I see her I shout, ‘SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!!!!’ because her energy is electric!!! See for yourself!”
Credit: Nicolò Campo /LightRocket via Getty
David seemed to see the funny side as he came to his wife’s defense in the comments. “She was celebrating inside I promise,” he wrote alongside a crying-laughing emoji, adding, “Her reactions were slightly slower than mine.”
Someone else pointed out that the excitement of soccer may have worn off for Victoria over the years. “She’s watched enough football in her life,” they joked. “I mean I don’t get excited when my husband takes me to his office.”
In her Netflix docuseries Victoria Beckham, released in 2025, the fashion designer opened up about her reputation for never smiling — and her explanation aligns with her husband’s.
“I’ve looked miserable for all these years because when we stand on the red carpet, this guy has always gone on the left,” she said of appearing alongside David.
“Now I didn’t realize that when I smile, which I do, I smile from the left ‘cause if I smile from the right I look unwell. Consequently, I’m smiling on the inside, but no one ever sees it, so that’s why I look so moody.”
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Victoria may have more opportunity to smile on the inside on Wednesday, July 15, when England return to the field to play Lionel Messi‘s Argentina for a chance to appear in the final.
The teams will meet at the Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) at 5 p.m. local time, and the victor will play against either France or Spain in the final, which will be held at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) at 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 19.