Norway achieved a forced victory against Georgia (2-1), with goals from Haaland and Ødegaard and a good first half from Nusa, which kept them some hope of chasing Spain or Scotland in the fight for the two qualifying places for the next Euro Cup.
The Nordic team is bound to win. AND Ståle Solbakken He chose an offensive eleven with young Nusa on the left wing and with Strand Larsen on the right, although the Celta striker sometimes acts as a second striker alongside Haaland.
But it was difficult for them to find spaces to overcome a Georgia that wanted to recover from the humiliating win against Spain (1-7) and chose to gather at the back and wait for what Kvaratskhelia would invent.
The Naples star, whose marking the Norwegian coach chose to move a central defender (Ajer) to the wing, was well supported, although he caused fear in some counterattacks with his speed and dribbling.
Hand in hand with Nusa, Norway grew up partying. He had the passes for two goals: the first, a measured cross that Haaland put into the net; the second, an exhibition of skill to get away from three rivals and sign a rather lucky drop shot which Ødegaard finished with a cross shot.
It was the third goal in 53 games for the Norwegian captain, perhaps motivated by criticism of his lack of goals for the national team, who broke free in the final minutes of the first half and had two more chances to close out the game against a Georgia. that was touched..
Willy Sagnol’s team did not improve in the second half, although they managed to control Nusa more. Only with a shot by Kvaratskhelia that rose did a team show signs of life in attack, which with the defeat in Oslo was left with no options.
The home team was closer to the goal, especially with two shots by Ødegaard and Strand Larsen, but as the minutes went by, Norway devoted themselves more to controlling the game and avoiding surprises, ensuring a essential success to maintain any opportunity.
Zivzivadze’s superb goal in extra time, Georgia’s only shot on goal in the entire match, raised some ghosts. And Kvaratskhelia, at the last breath, had a tie, but Nyland played well and dodged the fire.
Solbakken’s team must now win their three remaining games – including Spain’s visit to Oslo and their away game against Scotland – and will be hoping for another result to return to the final stage of a major tournament after two decades.
Data sheet:
Norway: Nyland; Ajer, Strandberg, Østigård, Bjørkan; Strand Larsen (Berge, d.71), Ødegaard, Berg, Aursnes, Nusa (Ola Solbakken, d.71); Haaland.
Georgia: Mamardashvili; Gocholeishvili (Mamuchasvili, m.46), Kverkvelia, Kashia, Kalandadze, Azarov; Davitashvili (Chakvetadze, d.67), Kiteishvili, Kochorashvili (Mekvabishvili, d.76), Kvaratskhelia; Mikoutadze (Zivzivadze, d.67).
Goals: 1-0, m.25: Haaland; 2-0, m.34: Ødegaard; 2-1, m.90: Zivzivadze.
Referee: Nikola Dabanovic (Montenegro). He showed a yellow card, for Georgia, to Davitashvili (m.64) and Kiteishvili (m.83).
Incidents: match corresponding to the sixth day of Group A of the qualifying phase for Euro 2024 played at the Ullevaal stadium in Oslo.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
