Led by double packers Erling Haaland and Alexander Sörloth, the Norway national football team almost booked a direct ticket to next year’s World Cup after a home win over Estonia. Thanks to a score of 4:1 (0:0) in Oslo, the unbeaten Scandinavian team can still be overtaken by group runners-up Italy; Thanks to a six-point lead and a much better goal difference (+19), this may just be a theory. Italy will play the Republic of Moldova in the evening before it ends on Sunday Norway accept.
The winners of Norway’s match at the Ullevaal Stadium were two former Bundesliga strikers. Former Leipzig man Sörloth (50th and 52nd minutes) and former BVB star Haaland (56th and 62nd) made their goals clear. Robi Saarma (65) reduced the deficit for the outside team, who defended strongly until halftime.
Sörloth opens, Haaland follows up
The hosts were only allowed to celebrate after half-time – but they did so several times. Sörloth jumped much higher than his opponent when he took the lead after a cross from Sander Berge. Just two minutes later, the 29-year-old striker from Atlético Madrid was again the first to control the ball with his head. Visiting goalkeeper Karl Hein had an equally slim chance with Haaland’s perfectly placed header to make it 3-0.
Haaland followed it up with a volley from close range. It was the 14th goal in the seventh game for Manchester City’s 25-year-old top scorer, who shortly afterwards claimed a penalty when he went down following a foul. Referee Matej Jug (Slovenia) correctly allowed play to continue – and allowed it Estonia in direct return the score is 1:4.
Victories also for Iceland and Hungary
In Group F, Hungary secured the best starting position behind Portugal with a 1-0 win in Armenia. Iceland is also in second place in Group D after winning 2-0 at Azerbaijan, but can still be overtaken by Ukraine in the evening.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251113-930-290361/1
