Norway at World Cup - loading... 99%! Sorloth & Haaland combine for four goals and thrash Estonia

Five months ago in Estonia, Norway barely beat the home team 1-0, thanks to Erling Haaland's 62nd-minute winner. Still, a win was a win, and it contributed to the Lions' perfect score of six triumphs in as many games, just like any other victory.

More importantly, it maintained Norway's three-point edge over Italy - the advantage that Stale Solbakken's men gained last June with a crushing 3-0 win against the Azzurri at home, and which will likely prove decisive.

Tonight, Norway were in for a much easier task, and even though the visitors salvaged a goalless draw at the break, the Lions thrashed them after the break 4-1. Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland bagged a brace each in the opening 17 minutes of the second period, sealing the deal, while Robi Saarma scored a consolation goal for Estonia. Now, only one tiny step separates them from qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup since 1998 and just the fourth in their national team's history.

All plausible scenarios work in the Northern Europeans' favour: if Italy fail to beat Moldova tonight (22.45) or fall short against Haaland and Co. at San Siro in three days, the Lions will win the group and book their ticket for the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The Azzurri can only rely on goal difference, though their win over the table-toppers in Milan would have to be immensely convincing, as Solbakken's crew have an incredible 19-goal advantage in that sense.

As if the pressure on the Norwegians was too intense, they were far from their usual level in the first half. As odd as it may sound, neither Haaland nor Alexander Sorloth - the men who led the Lions' attack tonight and combined for 21 goals this season - failed to break the deadlock.

Norway had 70% of possession, while their wingers, Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa, ran riots over the flanks, but their effort didn't pay off with an opener.

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However, just five minutes after the break, the long-awaited "avalanche of goals" began! In the span of two minutes - in the 50th and 52nd - Sorloth bagged a brace, exploiting fantastic Sander Berge and Julian Ryerson's crosses from the right side.

And when Atletico Madrid striker set a challenge, Norway captain had to respond! Borussia Dortmund defender recorded another assist, while Haaland headed the ball in, making it 3-0 already in the 11th minute of the second half.

Yet, that was only the beginning of the second-half scoring spree in Oslo, as Man City forward completed a brace six minutes after netting the first goal, while Estonia responded just three minutes later over Robi Saarma.

In the following 25 minutes, Solbakken mixed things up, giving a chance to some players from the bench, as his men peacefully awaited the end of the clash. Thanks to this vital win, Norway are 99% at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, achieving something generations of players have failed.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - EUROPE

Thursday

Armenia - Hungary 0-1 (0-1)

/Varga 33/

Azerbaijan - Iceland 0-2 (0-2)

/Gudmundsson A. 20, Ingason 39/

Norway - Estonia 4-1 (0-0)

/Sorloth 50, 52, Haaland 56, 62 - Saarma 65/

22.45: (15.0) Andorra (5.80) Albania (1.27)

22.45: (1.30) England (5.80) Serbia (14.0)

22.45: (1.20) France (7.75) Ukraine (16.0)

22.45: (30.0) Moldova (11.0) Italy (1.10)

22.45: (8.00) R.Ireland (4.70) Portugal (1.45)

***odds are subject to change***