– It tastes really good. We were good for a long time, and then we had to block some shots and defend ourselves for some time, but we know that,” national team manager Ståle Solbakken told NRK.

Solbakken was very impressed with stopper Stefan Strandberg and Leo Skiri stigård.

Among other things, the two ensured that the toxic Aleksandar Mitrovic was largely kept under control.

– He (Leo) and Stefan are very good. Those who have played regularly, and those who have not played, said Solbakken with a smile.

Strandberg has just 28 minutes of national team football on his belt this spring before Thursday’s game.

However no like that.

– This is a very difficult place to reach. Very good football team. You almost get a little scared when you analyze it first. “We grew to come here and take the three points,” Strandberg told NRK.

NRK expert Carl-Erik Torp highlights the mentality and ruggedness of winning. He was sure Norway would have lost this match a year ago.

Strandberg sums it up as follows:

– This is a milestone to beat a good team.

Martin degaard supports his teammates.

– I feel like this is a result we didn’t make a few years ago. I feel like this proves that we’ve made a move. We were able to win the game in a slightly ugly and cynical way by defending well, and that shows that we have taken steps. “Then we still have a little bit to do to keep the ball and be smarter in some phases,” said the captain of the national team.

– Not getting much better

rjan Håskjold Nyland will also get his share of the result. The Reading goalkeeper continued to make several saves when Norway needed them most.

Where the visitors had good control through the first half, it was a completely different Serbia who did the hunt in the second half. Luka Jovic came closest after 56 minutes, but Nyland’s tiger jump ensured that the finish headed straight for the last chance.

– Fantastic goalkeeping game, comments NRK expert Carl-Erik Torp.

The home side continued to put pressure on Norway, but it took longer and longer between the big chances.

More than ten minutes from the end, Serbia called for a penalty kick for the second time in the game, but referee Pawel Raczkowski concluded with Leo Skiri stigård’s hand in its natural position – and thus not the penalized hand.

The last five minutes of extra-time came close to keeping Norway away – and they did.

Praktangrep

The biggest highlight of the game came after 26 minutes of play.

Martin Degaard fired the perfect stick for Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who fell from 16 yards. Haaland used one move to send the stopper the wrong way before turning on the turbo and gaining space at five yards.

There there was no doubt for the super striker, who had blazed a big chance almost ten minutes earlier.

– It’s so raw. It’s so raw! It goes so fast. Haaland is way behind, some Serbs are way ahead, but he’s on a turbo. The post is perfect, Haaland can only run with the ball. It’s a delicious Norwegian attacking game, comments expert NRK Torp.

This was Haaland’s 16th goal in 18 international matches. NRK football writer Thore Haugstad believes the goal was almost out of Solbakken’s dream book.

– All of Norway’s best qualities in one goal: degaard sticks, fast back run, Haaland in the box, Haugstad shows on Twitter.

The VAR room spent nearly three minutes checking for possible offside on Pedersen, but the back end was the centimeter needed down the right.

Important for European Championship chances

As is well known, the National League is the first step towards a possible European Championship final in 2024.

Should Norway win the group in the national league, Ståle Solbakken’s men are guaranteed an extra chance in the playoffs in the spring of 2024 if the regular European Championship qualifiers in 2023 end in the disappointment of Norway.

Norway’s next match will be played against Sweden the following Sunday evening at 20.45. Then two home games against Slovenia on 9 June and Sweden again on 12 June.

The National League group games then ended with two games in September against Slovenia (away) and Serbia (at home).