The star duo Haaland and Ødegaard secured a Norwegian victory against Slovakia
ULLEVAAL (VG) (Norway – Slovakia 2–0) When Norway seemed to be heading for the third goalless international match in a row, the team woke up to big stars: Erling Braut Haaland (21) and Martin Ødegaard (23).
– Ødegaard must start scoring even more. It was a very nice goal and he made a good fight. Erling still has a bit left after the injury, and he just gets better from this, says coach Ståle Solbakken to TV 2.
With each scoring, the duo spiced up the Friday taco and the evening of 11,048 attended at Ullevaal Stadium. First, a combination from the «Rogaland team» ensured that Ståle Solbakken’s team ended a 257 minute long period without scoring: Substitute Kristian Thorstvedt from Stavanger won the ball from a reckless Slovak leg and tipped the Jærbu Erling Braut Haaland free.
– Thorstvedt is good at finding the little sticks. He makes a fantastic jump-in, says captain Martin Ødegaard to TV 2.
On his second goal chance in his first international match in 199 days, the Dortmund striker was of course alone with a brilliant Marek Rodak in the Slovakia goal. With a simple left-footed touch, Norway was in the lead.
– There is a lot of chaos and talk around him, but he goes out with scoring again and delivers, says Ødegaard about Haaland
VG Stock Exchange: Elyounoussi Norway’s best against Slovakia
It was more power and practiced in 2-0 three minutes later: Haaland first tried on a spectacular brass kick, but did not hit properly. Mats Møller Dæhli, also a substitute, supplied himself with the leftovers and rolled to Martin Ødegaard. The captain used a touch to facilitate before he turned in to sit other national team goals in his 38th Norway match.
The star’s two goals also ensured that a Ståle Solbakken team avoided going three games in a row without scoring. This has not happened since his first period at FC Copenhagen 15 years ago.
But he probably scratched his head over the fact that efficiency was lacking in over 75 percent of the match against Slovakia on Friday night, not unlike what happened against Latvia (0-0) in the World Cup qualifier before Christmas.
Before the break, Mohamed Elyounoussi was behind most of the Norwegian team: the Southampton player shot from long range (crossbar), sharp angle (goalkeeper save) and from inside the 16-meter (outside). He moved free on the left wing several times and was also the one who put up team captain Martin Ødegaard in shooting position on the 16-meter line. But neither did the whistle from the Arsenal player.
At the opposite end, Ørjan Håskjold Nyland must have stood and shuddered as he watched the camp his teammates had beaten up on Slovakia’s half. He was only properly in action once, on a finish within the 16-yard line that was safely down and disappointed to see the ball.
The match picture looked like a copy also in the second half. After just five minutes, Erling Braut Haaland got the first proper goal chance he had longed for in 50 minutes. But Slovakia goalkeeper Rodak had an extremely good day on Ullevaal’s green marching grass and saved the attempt.
He also stopped Elyonoussi – again – when one of Norway’s best pulled in from the left and turned the ball towards the far corner, but there was Rodak in full swing. Later, he also ended a frustrating night for today’s right winger Alexander Sørloth. Trønderen was spilled by Sander Berge, but shot straight at Slovakia’s grandfather.
Shortly afterwards, Sørloth was replaced. The “scorer” Kristian Thorstvedt immediately unlocked the Slovakian lock with his goal scorer for what is Erling Braut Haaland’s 13th national team goal in 16 matches.
At 0-0, Slovakia had a rush in the bar, but in chances Norway was superior: 11-2 in Norway’s favor.