"Norway's place at the 2026 World Cup is all but assured after Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth both scored twice in a 4-1 qualifying win over Estonia in Oslo. Stale Solbakken's side knew a victory over the Group I strugglers would mean only a thumping defeat to Italy in their final game on Sunday could deny them top spot, but the nerves were palpable at the Ullevaal Stadion as Estonia reached half-time still level at 0-0."
"After Sander Berge spurned an early chance, Norway's best opportunity of the opening period fell to Wolves left-back David Moller Wolfe, but his header off Haaland's knock-down was smothered by Karl Hein before Karol Mets cleared off the line. But the floodgates finally opened five minutes into the second half, with Sorloth nodding Berge's chipped delivery in at the far post. And just two minutes and 20 seconds later, Sorloth had his brace, stooping to head Julian Ryerson's deep cross into the bottom-right corner."
"The home fans knew their team was World Cup-bound at that point, but things got better within four further minutes as Haaland scored with yet another header from a right-wing cross, also delivered by Ryerson. Haaland had his second of the game when he volleyed home from Moller Wolfe's flick-on, and though Robi Saarma gave Estonia something to cheer when he skipped past Torbjorn Heggem and prodded into the near corner on the break, this was Norway's night."
Norway defeated Estonia 4-1 in Oslo as Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth each scored braces. Sorloth opened the scoring five minutes into the second half and added a second two minutes later. Haaland scored twice within a four-minute span, including a header and a volley from Moller Wolfe's assist. Estonia pulled one back through Robi Saarma, but Norway dominated with 1.98 expected goals to Estonia's 0.72. Norway now need only avoid a heavy defeat to Italy to secure top spot and qualify for the 2026 World Cup, holding a 19-goal superior difference over Italy.
Read at Soccer News
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