End of series for Norway. Less than three months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the Drillos lost on the pitch of the Johan Cruijff Arena against the Netherlands (2-1) in a friendly match, after twelve matches without defeat (11 wins, 1 draw).
Orphaned by Erling Haaland, left to rest by Stale Solbakken, and Martin Odegaard (injured), the next opponent of the French team in the group stage of the World Cup had nevertheless started the game well. Formidably efficient and very playful, the Norwegians managed to convert their very first shot on target of the match thanks to a gem from Andreas Schjelderup (24th). Enough to portend a resounding success against the sixth nation in the world.
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Too fragile defensively, the team dressed in black finally allowed itself to be trapped by the Oranje. First on a header from captain Virgil van Dijk (35th) from a corner – a great classic – then at the end of a textbook action converted by Tijjani Reijnders (51st).
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England does not reassure
Meanwhile, Switzerland and Germany (3-4) put on a very high quality show from the St. Jakob Stadium in Basel, with seven goals scored including a Puskás Prize contender for Florian Wirtz (61st), the man of the evening on the German side. The Nati may have regrets in the face of a clinical Mannschaft in front of goals.
Same observation or almost in the third meeting of the evening between England and Uruguay (1-0). It was not until the 82nd minute that the match finally came alive, with Ben White opening the score, then Federico Valverde’s equalizer (90+4th) on a penalty. Disappointing, Thomas Tuchel’s men struggled against an affordable opponent on paper.
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