Norway Striker Erling Haaland's double helped Norway beat Cyprus 3-1 in the fourth round and have their first win in Group A of the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
* Goals: Ola Solbakken 11, Erling Haaland 56 & 60 - Grigoris Kastanos 90'+3
Teammate Odegaard congratulated Haaland after the 3-1 win over Cyprus. Photo: VG
At Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo on the evening of June 20, Haaland played 87 minutes before making way for Bard Finne. During his time on the pitch, the Man City striker touched the ball 23 times, passed 50% accurately with one key pass, shot three times, had one interception and scored two goals.
In the 55th minute, defender Nikolas Ioannou handled the ball in the penalty area, giving Norway a penalty. From the 11m mark, Haaland shot low to the left corner, contrary to goalkeeper Joel Mall's prediction.
Four minutes later, two of Norway's biggest football stars combined to score. Martin Odegaard picked up the ball in midfield and passed it to Haaland, who entered the box and connected with his left foot across the corner to complete his double.
Haaland continued his impressive scoring record, with 24 goals in just 25 appearances for Norway. He also ended the 2022-23 season with 56 goals in all competitions, including 52 for Man City and four for his country. This is the best result in Europe's top five leagues, and two more than Kylian Mbappe.
Haaland in a situation threatening the Cyprus goal. Photo: VG
Before Haaland scored twice, Ola Solbakken opened the scoring with a cross-angle shot in the 12th minute, thereby scoring the first goal for the Norwegian team. In the third minute of injury time of the second half, Grigoris Kastanos charged straight into the penalty area and finished at the near corner, scoring the only goal for Cyprus.
Norway have won their first Euro 2024 qualifiers and are currently third with four points, level with Georgia and eight behind Scotland. Before defeating Cyprus, Haaland and his teammates lost 2-1 to Scotland, drew 1-1 with Georgia and lost 3-0 to Spain.
The top two teams in each group will qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany. Norway have failed to qualify for their last two major tournaments, the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2021.
Hong Duy
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