Norway on the Cusp of World Cup Return After Dominant Victory
Norway took a monumental step towards qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup since 1998 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Estonia in a crucial qualifier on Thursday. The prolific strike partnership of Alexander Sørloth and Erling Haaland proved unstoppable, with each forward netting a brace to dismantle the Estonian defence and send their home fans into raptures.
Second-Half Onslaught Secures Crucial Points
The match at a packed Norwegian stadium did not start according to plan for the hosts. Estonia's disciplined setup frustrated the home side, denying them the rhythm that has characterised their campaign. The first half ended goalless, with Oscar Bobb hitting the woodwork just before the interval, leading to audible frustration from the expectant crowd.
However, the game transformed completely after the break. Just five minutes into the second half, Sander Berge delivered a perfect cross for Sørloth to power a header into the net, breaking the deadlock. The relief was palpable, and the celebration had barely died down when Sørloth found the net again with another clinical header just two minutes later.
With the Estonian defence in disarray, the stage was set for Erling Haaland. The superstar striker added a third goal with a powerful header of his own in the 56th minute, and he wasn't finished there. Haaland grabbed his second and Norway's fourth just six minutes later, showcasing the attacking firepower that has put them on the verge of the finals. A consolation goal from Estonia's Robi Saarma did little to dampen the Norwegian celebrations.
What This Result Means for Norway's Qualification Hopes
This vital win puts Norway in an exceptionally strong position in their group. They now hold a six-point lead over second-placed Italy, who have a game in hand. For Italy to snatch the automatic qualification spot, they would need to win both of their remaining matches, including one against Norway, and overturn a significant 19-goal deficit. This makes Norway's path to the 2026 World Cup in North America all but secure, a historic achievement for the Scandinavian nation.
Nigeria Overcome Off-Field Drama to Reach African Playoff Final
In other World Cup qualifying action, Nigeria secured their place in the African playoff final after a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Gabon that required extra time. The match in Rabat was overshadowed by off-pitch issues, as Nigeria's players had earlier gone on strike over unpaid bonuses, a situation only resolved the day before the game.
Nigeria's breakthrough came in the 78th minute when Akor Adams capitalised on a defensive error for an easy tap-in. Just as it seemed they would see out the win, Gabon's Mario Lemina scored a dramatic 89th-minute equaliser to force extra time. In the additional period, Nigeria's quality shone through. A goal from Chidera Ejuke and a brace from Victor Osimhen ensured a comfortable victory, setting up a final against either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
