– The release has been absolutely enormous, but we couldn’t say that before the match. To feel that you succeed in everything in a match (against Italy), and then you have to adjust to a heavy, rainy pitch and know the pressure is heavy…

– The discharge has been absolutely enormous, but we couldn’t say that before the match. To feel that you succeed in everything in a match (against Italy), and then you have to adjust to a heavy, rainy pitch and know the pressure is heavy…– The discharge has been absolutely enormous, but we couldn’t say that before the match. To feel that you succeed in everything in a match (against Italy), and then you have to adjust to a heavy, rainy pitch and know the pressure is heavy…– The discharge has been absolutely enormous, but we couldn’t say that before the match. To feel that you succeed in everything in a match (against Italy), and then you have to adjust to a heavy, rainy pitch and know the pressure is heavy…

Ståle Solbakken left the words hanging in the air when he spoke to TV 2 after the victory against Estonia.

Ståle Solbakken left the words hanging in the air when he spoke to TV 2 after the victory against Estonia.Ståle Solbakken left the words hanging in the air when he spoke to TV 2 after the victory against Estonia.Ståle Solbakken left the words hanging in the air when he spoke to TV 2 after the victory against Estonia.

– Did everything we could

Solbakken says that the historic evening at Ullevaal against Italy on Friday left a greater mark on the players than he would like to admit beforehand.

Solbakken says that the historic evening at Ullevaal against Italy on Friday left more of an impression on the players than he would admit beforehand.Solbakken says that the historic evening at Ullevaal against Italy on Friday left more of an impression on the players than he would admit beforehand.Solbakken says that the historic evening at Ullevaal against Italy on Friday left more of an impression on the players than he would admit beforehand.

– We have done everything we can to land, he says.

“We have done everything we can to land,” he says.“We have done everything we can to land,” he says.“We have done everything we can to land,” he says.

But later in the match against Estonia it became clear that the Italy match had left its mark, he believes.

But later in the match against Estonia it became clear that the Italy match had left its mark, he believes.But later in the match against Estonia it became clear that the Italy match had left its mark, he believes.But later in the match against Estonia it became clear that the Italy match had left its mark, he believes.

– We were OK until we scored, but after that it’s empty. It’s empty, both in the body and in the top end, he says.

FULLY RUNNING: The last few games have taken their toll on Norway’s national team players.

It could have ended with Norway losing points, because the performance impressed no one. But as NRK expert Kristoffer Løkberg summarized afterwards:

It could have ended with Norway losing points, because the performance impressed no one. But as NRK expert Kristoffer Løkberg summarized afterwards:It could have ended with Norway losing points, because the performance impressed no one. But as NRK expert Kristoffer Løkberg summarized afterwards:It could have ended with Norway losing points, because the performance impressed no one. But as NRK expert Kristoffer Løkberg summarized afterwards:

– This was about one thing, winning.

– This was about one thing, winning.– This was about one thing, winning.– This was about one thing, winning.

– Couldn’t have dreamed of this

Solbakken is delighted that Norway is halfway through the qualifiers, which could lead to the first Norwegian participation in the championship since 2000.

Solbakken is delighted after Norway is halfway throughSolbakken is delighted after Norway is halfway throughSolbakken is delighted after Norway is halfway throughin the qualifiers that could end with the first Norwegian championship participation since 2000.in the qualifiers that could end with the first Norwegian championship participation since 2000.in the qualifiers that could end with the first Norwegian championship participation since 2000.

12 out of 12 possible points and a goal difference of 11 plus goals speak for themselves.

12 out of 12 possible points and a goal difference of 11 plus goals speaks for itself.12 out of 12 possible points and a goal difference of 11 plus goals speaks for itself.12 out of 12 possible points and a goal difference of 11 plus goals speaks for itself.

– We couldn’t have dreamed of this starting point. There will be a final in Italy, probably anyway, Solbakken tells NRK.

– We could not have dreamed of this starting point. There will be a final in Italy, probably anyway, Solbakken tells NRK.– We could not have dreamed of this starting point. There will be a final in Italy, probably anyway, Solbakken tells NRK.– We could not have dreamed of this starting point. There will be a final in Italy, probably anyway, Solbakken tells NRK.

Watch the highlights from the match – Pictures from TV 2

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NRK expert Åge Hareide said after the Italy match that he is 100 percent sure that Norway will now go to the World Cup.

NRK expert Åge Hareide said after the Italy match that he is 100 percent sure that Norway will now go to the World Cup.NRK expert Åge Hareide said after the Italy match that he is 100 percent sure that Norway will now go to the World Cup.NRK expert Åge Hareide said after the Italy match that he is 100 percent sure that Norway will now go to the World Cup.

After the disappointing performance against Estonia, he is still confident.

After the disappointing performance against Estonia, he is still confident.After the disappointing performance against Estonia, he is still confident.After the disappointing performance against Estonia, he is still confident.

– Yes, I actually am. Football is a strange game. If you look at expected goals and chances, 2-2 might have been a correct result, says Hareide.

– Yes, I actually am. Football is a strange game. If you look at expected goals and chances, 2-2 might have been a correct result, says Hareide.– Yes, I actually am. Football is a strange game. If you look at expected goals and chances, 2-2 might have been a correct result, says Hareide.– Yes, I actually am. Football is a strange game. If you look at expected goals and chances, 2-2 might have been a correct result, says Hareide.

The NRK expert and former national team manager believes the most important thing is that Norway was lucky for once.

The NRK expert and former national team manager believes the most important thing is that Norway was lucky for once.The NRK expert and former national team manager believes the most important thing is that Norway was lucky for once.The NRK expert and former national team manager believes the most important thing is that Norway was lucky for once.

– And as the Danes say: “You play into your luck,” and that’s what Norway has done. That’s why it’s going to be good, says Hareide.

– And as the Danes said: “You play into your luck,” and Norway has done that. That’s why things will go well, says Hareide.– And as the Danes said: “You play into your luck,” and Norway has done that. That’s why things will go well, says Hareide.– And as the Danes said: “You play into your luck,” and Norway has done that. That’s why things will go well, says Hareide.

Backroom: Reactions after Estonia – Norway

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Knallhard Drillo: – Unreal

Former national team manager Egil “Drillo” Olsen is not as sure as Hareide. He was scared by what he saw against Estonia, and believes it is disappointing that Estonia created more chances against Norway than they did in the last match against Israel.

Former national team manager Egil “Drillo” Olsen is not as sure as Hareide. He was scared by what he saw against Estonia, and believes it is disappointing that Estonia created more chances against Norway than they did in the last match against Israel.Former national team manager Egil “Drillo” Olsen is not as sure as Hareide. He was scared by what he saw against Estonia, and believes it is disappointing that Estonia created more chances against Norway than they did in the last match against Israel.Former national team manager Egil “Drillo” Olsen is not as sure as Hareide. He was scared by what he saw against Estonia, and believes it is disappointing that Estonia created more chances against Norway than they did in the last match against Israel.

– What happens in the second half is almost a bit unreal, he tells TV 2.

– What happens in the second half is almost a bit unreal, he tells TV 2.– What happens in the second half is almost a bit unreal, he tells TV 2.– What happens in the second half is almost a bit unreal, he tells TV 2.

And comes with a merciless verdict on Norway’s most discussed team of the last week:

And comes with a merciless verdict on Norway’s most discussed team of the last week:And comes with a merciless verdict on Norway’s most discussed team of the last week:And comes with a merciless verdict on Norway’s most discussed team of the last week:

– We have previously been a little worried about our defense, whether the back four is up to the task. And we saw several examples of that today, that it is not, is the stark message from Drillo.

– We have previously been a little worried about our defense, whether the back four is up to the task. And we saw several examples today, that it is not, is the harsh message from Drillo.– We have previously been a little worried about our defense, whether the back four is up to the task. And we saw several examples today, that it is not, is the harsh message from Drillo.– We have previously been a little worried about our defense, whether the back four is up to the task. And we saw several examples today, that it is not, is the harsh message from Drillo.

COMING SOON: The matches have come close for the Norway players at both club and national level.

It was tired players who faced the press after the 1-0 win in Tallinn.

– Completely done

– I’m so exhausted. I’m looking forward to one day off before I go to the Club World Cup, says Alexander Sørloth after the match.

– How exhausted were you?

– How exhausted were you?

– We all ran a lot. We come here and know it could be a banana peel. It was a tough test, he answers.

Teammate Oscar Bobb was substituted after the break. The 21-year-old says he was also tired.

– How were the final minutes?

– How were the final minutes?

– I was completely exhausted! I felt like I was in a bind. But it was fun, I had a good time.

The international break comes after the biggest European leagues have taken a summer break after a long season, including Bob’s club Manchester City.

– It’s a June gathering where many have had a month off. I understand it will be tough in the end. I think we were surprised by Estonia, he says.

The next match for Norway is a private international match against Finland on September 6. Three days later, another World Cup qualifier awaits, when Moldova comes to Ullevaal.

Backroom: Reactions after Estonia – Norway

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– He is crazy

Norway had to work hard before they were able to score against Estonia, but after 63 minutes, Erling Braut Haaland scrambled his own rebound into the goal.

At the end of the match, Estonia came close to equalizing, but the Norwegian national team players held off.

JUVENATING ROAR: It took time, but then it was over for Erling Braut Haaland and Norway.

– Extremely important goal for Norway, right after Estonia had two half-dangers. You can see from the celebration of the goal that it was a mixture of great joy and enormous relief that they finally got a hole in the boil, summarizes NRK’s football expert Kristoffer Løkberg.

He continues:

– This goal could prove to be the one that sends Norway to the World Cup.

Estonia close to equalizing

Estonia came very close to equalizing towards the end of overtime, but Julian Ryerson saved the attempt from close range and the ball went over the goal.

– It’s not a fantastic game, but we win on a terrible pitch. There were a lot of heavy legs, a little more than we hoped for. We show we’ve made progress, so that’s good, says Martin Ødegaard after the game.

HAD TO WORK: Norway didn’t get three points against Estonia for free.

– Norway was very lucky towards the end of the match as Estonia was clearly the better team. But victory is the only thing that matters on a tough day at work, says Løkberg.

The NRK expert calls it a relief that there was no scoring against.

– It was a bit chaotic. Time stood still when the ball passed Nyland in overtime. But they were lucky, and it could be these three points that send us to the World Cup.

CLOSE UP: Estonia was not far from scoring and securing a point right at the end of the match.

Ødegaard: – Great position

With a 1–0 victory over Estonia, Norway has four wins in four matches and a full pot so far in World Cup qualifying.

– It’s very good. It goes without saying. So we’ve put ourselves in a great position now, and it’s important to keep our feet on the ground, stay focused, says Captain Ødegaard to NRK and a joint press corps.

Norway has never opened a World Cup qualification better before, and Ståle Solbakken’s men thus have a very good chance of qualifying for the championship.

Have you got World Cup fever?

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– It will be an exciting autumn, says Solbakken to NRK.

Stock exchange: This is how Norway played against Estonia

The exchange is set by NRK’s football expert Kristoffer Løkberg.

Ørjan Nyland – 5:

Safe and good with the ball at his feet. Not forced to make any saves in the first half. Fantastic save at the start of the second half when he hit the ball over the crossbar. No more fear when a long shot suddenly came after 72 minutes that went through a player and into the post. Good in his own half on a couple of occasions, but missed a corner that fortunately went too long. Huge match-winning save that prevented a 1-0 to Estonia. Completely missed in the box in overtime, which could have cost Norway the victory.

Julian Ryerson – 4:

Nice turn pass to Nusa before Norway’s first half chance. Defensively few problems beyond the first half. Came out more and more offensively, but not as good timing with his teammates on his side today as before. Terrible cross attempt at the start of the second half. Hugely important block that started the counterattack that made it 1-0. Never quite got the rhythm right in a game that developed into a real struggle for three points.

Kristoffer Ajer – 3:

Started a bit shaky. But very important defensive involvement on a dangerous Estonian counterattack after just over five minutes. Was chased forward by Solbakken, who wanted him to attack the space in front of him to create an advantage forward in the field. This happened a little too rarely. Almost gave away a good opportunity to Estonia towards the end of the first half. Started the second half with a weak header and a long pass to five meters. Lived several times right on the edge, maybe was lucky to escape a free kick against before 1-0?

Torbjørn Lysaker Heggem – 6 – Norway’s best:

Started out a bit sloppy along with the rest of the team. Lifted up in the duel game and had some important involvements with good offensive marking beyond the first half. Some very important involvements in their own box throughout the game. Solid defensively, maybe made it a bit too easy with the ball sometimes?

David Møller Wolfe – 5:

Coming forward willingly almost every time, and helped Nusa to pull himself in often. Should have gotten the ball more often. Little to do defensively beyond the half. A long and good solo raid set up Haaland for the biggest chance of the half. Sunny yellow just after the break. Some weak choices against higher Estonian pressure beyond the second half. Nice overlap and cross-field effort against Haaland. Won an important duel at the back post.

Sander Berge – 5:

Didn’t find the right positions in the high pressure at first. Played his first pass through the middle after twelve minutes, then got more involved in the game both with and without the ball. Found a nice rhythm with Ødegaard, which allowed him to drive forward with the ball. Good shot attempt just before half-time. Lugged a little more at the start of the second half. Didn’t hit as well defensively after half-time, often ended up in difficult intermediate positions. Didn’t get as good a rhythm with the ball in the second half either.

Morten Thorsby – 3:

Missed along with the rest of the team in the pressure at the start of the match. Then started picking up more second balls. Had a brilliant opportunity after a nice cross from Sørloth, but it was a lousy finish via the first foot. Nice run and a usable attempt at a header after 32 minutes. Never quite found the right spaces to be really dangerous offensively. Substituted at half-time.

Martin Ødegaard – 5:

Started by dropping down to feel the ball. Struggled to get involved a lot in the first quarter, but had a usable shot attempt after fourteen minutes. Then picked up the pace and made sure Norway put less pressure on Estonia. Combined well with Berge in the middle. Crazy through ball to Nusa after 21 minutes. Took a lot of responsibility, but not as precise in everything he did. Lifted himself higher up the pitch from the start of the second half, nice through ball to Haaland after just seconds. Then rejected a very good shot opportunity, before attempting a worse opportunity shortly afterwards. Goal-scoring pass to Haaland. Took a lot of responsibility with the ball, but some poor choices and executions in a chaotic end to the match.

Antonio Nusa – 3:

Stood behind Norway’s first half chance. Danced through after just a quarter of an hour, but it was only almost. Some imprecise passes and cross attempts. Nice run, but should have seen Haaland 45 degrees out after the magical through play from Ødegaard. Was more and more set up on the left, but missed almost all cross attempts in the first half. Hit better with his first cross after the break, which almost ended in an own goal. Almost a lot tonight for Nusa. Was substituted in the 67th minute to provide better balance in the Norwegian team.

Erling Braut Haaland – 5:

Opened with two weak involvements wrong-way. Nice move that should have been exploited when Nusa was played through by Ødegaard. Hunted the back post almost every time Nusa came to cross situations, but the ball never got to where it could have been dangerous. Created a free kick against the first time a cross came into his zone. Lacked more power in the movements in open play. Disappointingly weak finish when he had the biggest chance of the first half right before half-time. More power immediately after half-time where he hit a nice cross that unfortunately no one was on the end of. Then almost forced an own goal soon after. Powerful and with the margins on his side, he gave Norway the lead, and you could see in the celebration how much it meant. At times frustrated with the Norwegian pressing game that did not work very well beyond the second half. Match winner, of course not by chance.

Alexander Sørloth – 4:

Joined the rest of the team in between runs at the start of the match, but slowly but surely became more and more involved. Two nice runs behind the Estonian defense in a few minutes after a little more than half of the first half was played. Nice cross to Thorsby after 32 minutes. Came with more and more power in his movements beyond the first half. Power was also there when he started the counterattack that made it 1-0. Moved to the left towards the end of the match. Strong wrong-way as always, but the touch and interaction with teammates were not as good as before. Stumbled off the field tired after 81 minutes.

Steel Solbakken – 3:

Started with the same team as against Italy, but took action already at halftime by putting Bobb in for Thorsby. Tried to give the team more balance with Berg-Johnsen in for Nusa, but that only led to us not being able to give Estonia any problems. Substituted Bobb again towards the end for more defensive fibers. Shouted frantically on the sidelines the whole game, clearly dissatisfied. Fortunately, the fear subsided.

Substitutes:

Oscar Bobb – 4:

Came into the break and immediately contributed with nice moves offensively. Very positive when Norway opened the second half well. Defensively he was mostly just running around in between and never got the timing right in the pressure when Norway was being run down towards the end. Was substituted again for more defensive fibers towards the end.

* A player must have been substituted before the 60th minute to be considered.

* A player must have been substituted before the 60th minute to be considered.

Big step towards the World Cup

Now the World Cup dream is truly alive. After four matches, Norway has 12 points out of a possible 12. Solbakken’s men have everything in their own hands with four matches remaining for Norway.

The group winner will advance directly to the World Cup. It will be Norway’s first participation in the championship since 2000.

Norway’s World Cup qualification continues on September 9, when Moldova visits Ullevaal Stadium. Three days before, Norway plays a friendly match at home against Finland.

This determines who advances in the group:

KILDE: Uefa.com