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GIBRALTAR (VG) (Gibraltar 0–3 Norway) Ståle Solbakken’s debut as national coach ended with three prescription points, but also an injured Martin Ødegaard (22).
Martin Ødegaard, who became Norway’s youngest captain at 105, had to be replaced at halftime against Gibraltar after he moved his right ankle.
The Arsenal player first tried to flee the injury, but then signaled to Solbakken that he should be replaced.
– I have a nice “twist” there. Hope it works, but it hurts a bit, that’s all. I think it’s going well. So far, it bodes well, Ødegaard tells TV 2 about the ankle injury and the possibility of reaching the game against Turkey.
– Things are going so well that the legitimacy of expecting to play on Saturday, says Solbakken to VG.
Norway’s other superstar Erling Braut Haaland didn’t have a great night at work either. Jærbuen had five significant chances to score but either missed the goal or was stopped by a good Dayle Coleing in Gibraltar’s goal.
– An important good start for this qualification. An important victory, Haaland tells TV 2.
See the reactions after the game here:
The goalkeeper mimicked a brick wall for the first 40 minutes of the match and approached the double-digit number of saves before Norway finally broke through just before half-time.
Then Solbakken had managed to get frustrated: “Damn it, that’s it! Hell!” He yelled after another abused opportunity.
Alexander Sørloth then took a corner kick from Fredrik Midtsjø before Kristian Thorstvedt scored his first career goal for the national team.
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Thorstvedt shocked
The son of Norwegian goalkeeper legend Erik Thorstvedt was the big surprise in Solbakken’s starting lineup, but he showed exactly why he had been given the opportunity, with a strong showing in the role of the stands behind the forwards.
– It was big. I was a bit surprised when I found out who was going to start the game today, but it was where the ball landed, Thorstvedt tells VG.
– He has a good mentality and good shots. He played well in the first half, but fell a bit off the load in the second half like the others. It has a bit to do with artificial grass, changes and everything to do, says Solbakken of Thorstvedt.
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Various switches
When Jonas Svensson scored 3-0, Trøndelag’s first goal for the national team, Solbakken called in star forwards Haaland and Sørloth.
“Which one of you is going out?” Asked Solbakken, and since Sørloth had received his score, it seemed that Haaland should be allowed to continue.
That was not the case. Haaland was replaced by Joshua King, who before the game clearly showed that he was dissatisfied with not starting the game.
– Two adults there. It was a bit modern, says Solbakken after the game.
In central defense, Marius Lode was able to celebrate his first international game with a clean cage, but it was not a great job to keep the toothless home team away.
Advancing on the field, Solbakken was not completely satisfied.
– They all have too many touches. Everybody wears it two and three and four times, he yelled at his players.
He warns that there may be changes in both the formation and the team selection before Saturday’s game against Turkey.
