Martin Odegaard played a key role in three of Norway’s five goals on Saturday, as they got their World Cup qualification campaign off to a perfect start.
Norway's midfielder #10 Martin Odegaard and Austria's defender #15 Philipp Lienhart vie for the ball during the UEFA Nations League, League B, Group B3 football match Norway vs Austria at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Terje Pedersen / NTB / AFP) / Norway OUT (Photo by TERJE PEDERSEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by TERJE PEDERSEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard pulled on the captain’s armband for Norway against Moldova on Saturday, hoping to get off on the right foot with regards to World Cup qualification.
It’s been a long time since Norway last played at a major tournament, with the team only qualifying for one European Championship (Euro 2000) since the turn of the century, and no World Cups.
With the likes of Odegaard and Erling Haaland in their current side, it will feel like a missed opportunity if they fail to make it once again.
But qualifying won’t be an easy task, with only one team from each group guaranteeing qualification (the runner-up makes the play-offs) and one of Germany and Italy to join Norway’s qualification group after their Nations League tie concludes.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after Mikel Merino of Arsenal (not pictured) scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Arsenal FC at The King Power Stadium on February 15, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
It was vital for Norway to get off to a strong start against one of the group’s lesser opponents in Moldova, and that’s exactly what they did.
Odegaard was key, playing a role in Norway’s second, third, and fourth goals of the match.
For the second goal, Odegaard played a clever through ball to Andreas Schjelderup, who squared for Haaland to finish. For the third, he put a corner into the box which fell to Thelo Aasgaard to convert on the rebound.
And for the fourth, Odegaard picked up an assist as he found Alexander Sorloth with another corner, who headed in for 4-0.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Arsenal FC and GNK Dinamo on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
It wasn’t a perfect performance from the Arsenal captain, as one or two cheap giveaways could have been costly on another day. But not on this occasion, as Norway ran out 5-0 winners.
Norway lead their qualification group on goal difference after their first game, with Israel also winning 2-1 against Estonia.
Germany and Italy will conclude their Nations League quarter-final on Sunday night, with the loser joining Norway’s group. Germany lead the tie 2-1 after their away leg.
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