Norway secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Estonia in their World Cup 2026 qualifying match, maintaining their perfect record in Group I. The match, held at the Lillekula Stadium in Tallinn, saw Erling Haaland net the decisive goal, ensuring Norway remains in a strong position to qualify for their first FIFA World Cup since 1998.
Estonia started strong, matching Norway's intensity in the opening 20 minutes. However, Norway gradually took control, dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities. Despite their dominance, the visitors struggled to find the back of the net in the first half, with their normally prolific attackers missing several chances.
Sander Berge came close to scoring, his shot from the edge of the box narrowly missing the post. Morten Thorsby also had a chance, but his header went wide. Just before halftime, Haaland had a clear opportunity, but his shot was saved by Estonian goalkeeper Karl Hein.
In the second half, Estonia briefly threatened when Vlasiy Sinyavskiy's powerful shot struck the crossbar. However, Norway soon regained control, and Haaland finally broke the deadlock, scoring the winning goal and sealing a vital victory for his team.
Key Moments
- Erling Haaland's winning goal.
- Sander Berge's near-miss in the first half.
- Vlasiy Sinyavskiy's shot hitting the crossbar for Estonia.
What's Next?
Norway will look to continue their winning streak in their upcoming qualifiers, while Estonia will aim to bounce back and improve their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
This victory keeps Norway at the top of Group I, boosting their hopes of reaching the World Cup for the first time in nearly three decades. The narrow win highlights the competitive nature of World Cup qualifying and the challenges faced by even the strongest teams.