Odegaard and Silva were previously Premier League rivals when the Portuguese midfielder played for Manchester City
Bookmark popover
Independent Membership
Become an Independent member to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Join today
Already a member? Log in
Your support helps us to tell the story
Read moreSupport Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
**Your support makes all the difference.**Read more
Norway captain Martin Odegaard was left incensed after receiving a late tackle to his ankle from Portugal’s Bernardo Silva during stoppage time of Sunday's Nations League fixture.
The challenge resulted in a yellow card for Silva in Portugal’s 2-1 victory in Oslo, renewing a rivalry built over years in the Premier League. Silva, who departed Manchester City for Real Madrid in the summer, left a painful reminder on the Arsenal captain.
Odegaard was captured on camera repeatedly shouting an expletive in English towards his long-term opponent, whom he may face again in Lisbon on Sunday in their Nations League group return match.
"This has no place on a football pitch," Odegaard told Norwegian broadcaster TV2 while limping towards the team bus more than an hour after the final whistle.
The incident took place after Odegaard played a deep left-footed pass from within Norway's half before Silva made a challenge from behind. Silva raised his right foot too late to block the pass, before aiming a kick at the rear of Odegaard's trailing left foot.
Former Man City star Bernardo Silva attempted to downplay the spat with Odegaard (John Walton/PA)
Former Man City star Bernardo Silva attempted to downplay the spat with Odegaard (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)
Asked by Norwegian journalists about the clash that angered Odegaard, Silva initially responded "What tackle?" in a clip shared by online media outlet Nettavisen.
"It’s football, my friend," stated the 32-year-old playmaker, who spent nine years at Manchester City and won six Premier League titles.
Arsenal and Odegaard finished as runners-up to Man City in two of those title-winning campaigns, in 2023 and 2024, before he captained Arsenal last season to their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Man City and Arsenal currently sit first and second in the standings early in a Premier League season that appears destined to be overshadowed by the long-running legal proceedings against Silva’s former club.
Abu Dhabi-backed Man City were charged with breaking financial regulations over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, mostly related to sponsorships from the emirate, alongside failing to cooperate with the inquiry.
An independent panel of judges has reportedly found Man City guilty of most of the 115 charges faced, though it remains unclear whether the club's previous titles are vulnerable at a subsequent sanctions hearing.
Man City deny all wrongdoing, and on Saturday club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insisted in a letter written to fans that "nothing has changed."