Ghana, listen up! Norway secured a crucial, albeit narrow, 1-0 victory over Estonia in their World Cup qualifying campaign, keeping their hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998 burning bright. The star of the show? None other than Erling Haaland, who found the back of the net to seal the win.
Norway Dominates but Struggles to Convert
Despite the scoreline, Norway largely controlled the match. They came into the game high on confidence after a convincing victory over Italy, and while Estonia initially held their own, the Norwegians gradually asserted their dominance. However, their finishing left something to be desired, especially in the first half. Sander Berge came close with a shot that grazed the post, and Morten Thorsby missed a header. Even Haaland himself, usually clinical, squandered a golden opportunity just before halftime, firing straight at the Estonian goalkeeper.
Estonia Threatens Briefly
Estonia, playing at home in Tallinn, weren't without their chances. In fact, they almost took the lead themselves when Vlasiy Sinyavskiy's powerful shot crashed against the crossbar. It was a brief moment of hope for the home side, but ultimately, Norway's pressure told.
Haaland Breaks the Deadlock
Just minutes after Estonia's near miss, Haaland finally found the breakthrough. Details about the specific play are still emerging, but the goal was enough to secure all three points for Norway. This victory keeps Norway at the top of their qualifying group with a perfect record. Can they maintain this form and finally make it back to the World Cup? We'll be watching closely!
- Norway maintained their 100% record in Group I.
- Erling Haaland scored the winning goal.
- Estonia threatened briefly but ultimately fell short.