Norway vs Estonia: Norway edged closer to their first World Cup qualification in 28 years after a convincing 4-1 win over Estonia in the latest round of Group I qualifiers. Doubles from Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth ensured a seventh straight win, leaving Norway on the cusp of sealing their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Norway Extend Perfect Record in World Cup Qualifiers
With this result, Norway continue to be top of Group I, with seven wins in seven games, six points clear of Italy in second place and a superior goal difference by +19.
Should Italy fail to beat Moldova later on Thursday, Norway will confirm their qualification automatically. Even if Italy win, the Azzurri would need an unlikely swing in goal difference to leapfrog the Norwegians in the final round of fixtures.
Slow Start Before Second-Half Surge
The clash between Norway and Estonia initially saw the home team fail to transform their chances despite enjoying almost all the possession. The first half ended goalless but not without a couple of clear missed chances for Norway.
The breakthrough, however, came shortly after the restart when Alexander Sorloth opened the scoring with a precise header. Moments later, he struck again another powerful header to double Norway’s lead and calm any nerves among home supporters.
Erling Haaland Delivers with a Second-Half Double
After Sorloth’s brace, Erling Haaland, Manchester City’s superstar, added his trademark finishing touch to the match. First, Haaland headed in Julian Ryerson’s pinpoint cross before smashing home a second goal just seven minutes later to make it 4-0. His double took his tally in the qualifiers to double digits, further cementing his role as Norway’s talisman in their World Cup campaign.
Estonia’s Late Consolation
A late consolation was managed by Estonia through Robi Saarma, whose driven strike beat the Norwegian goalkeeper, but it did little to change the complexion of the match as Norway cruised to a 4–1 victory in Oslo.
The result leaves Estonia rooted near the bottom of the group, while Norway edge ever closer to ending their World Cup exile since France 1998.
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Group I Standings and What’s Next
After the Norway vs Estonia match:
Norway sit comfortably at the top of Group I with 21 points.
Second-placed Italy, six points adrift, need to win against Moldova to keep their slim hopes alive.
Norway’s goal difference of +19 means that even an Italian victory may not be enough to prevent their qualification.
Norway’s final group game is largely expected to be a formality, with the Scandinavian side already preparing for their first World Cup appearance in nearly three decades.
Key Performers: Haaland and Sorloth Shine
| Player | Goals | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | 2 | Two second-half goals; aerial dominance and finishing masterclass |
| Alexander Sorloth | 2 | Early second-half brace to break Estonia’s resistance |
| Julian Ryerson | 1 Assist | Provided the cross for Haaland’s first goal |
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