Haaland and Sorloth Lead Norway to Victory

Norway are on the verge of qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup since 1998 after a commanding performance against Estonia, with doubles from Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth securing a comfortable win.

With this victory, Norway have now won seven out of seven qualifying matches in Group I, sitting at the top of the table three points ahead of second-placed Italy and with a staggering 17-goal advantage over their nearest rivals.

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Sorloth Breaks the Deadlock

Despite Norway’s dominance in the first half, the team struggled to convert chances and appeared at risk of dropping crucial points. However, Alexander Sorloth broke the deadlock early in the second half with a perfectly placed header, before doubling his tally moments later with another clinical finish.

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Haaland Seals the Win

Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker, then took center stage. He opened his account for the evening with a powerful header from Julian Ryerson’s cross, before adding a second just seven minutes later to put the match beyond doubt.

Estonia pulled one back through Robi Saarma, but it proved only a consolation as Norway moved closer to a historic World Cup appearance.

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Norway’s Road to Qatar 2026

While Norway celebrated their commanding win, confirmation of qualification had to wait until Italy’s late 2-0 victory over Moldova. Despite dominating the game and registering 30 attempts, Italy only found the net in the closing minutes through Gianluca Mancini and Pio Esposito, leaving Norway’s superior goal difference likely insurmountable.

Norway now need just a point in their final Group I fixture to seal a return to the World Cup stage after a 28-year absence, marking a remarkable achievement for manager Ståle Solbakken and his squad.

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Stars of Norwegian Football

This match highlighted the striking partnership of Haaland and Sorloth, showcasing their finishing ability, aerial dominance, and chemistry on the field. Haaland’s consistent goal-scoring form continues to make him one of the most feared forwards in world football, while Sorloth’s clinical finishing and intelligent movement have made him an essential component of Norway’s attacking threat.