Do you know what revenge looks like? The Austrian team does. A month ago, they lost 1-2 to Norway. But in return match, Ralf Rangnick’s squad showed no mercy.
It started with a big chance for Norway: Haaland nearly went one-on-one with the keeper and hit the post. Just moments later, Arnautovic scored after a deflection off the crossbar.
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First half stayed even, with Sørloth nodding in a clever goal after a set-piece from Rüerson. Austria 5-1 Norway.
No one could have predicted what happened next.
49th minute: Baumgartner won a penalty, and Arnautovic converted; 58th minute: Schmid took a perfect corner, and Linhart made a great leap to score; 63rd minute: Sabitzer crossed to Posch, who ran in and scored just after Thorsby missed reducing the deficit; 71st minute: Sabitzer delivered another cross, and Gregoritsch finished at the far post.
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After that, Austria slowed down. Norway, though, played the entire second half in this sluggish state. The last time Norway conceded this many was in September 2017, losing 0-6 to Germany in World Cup qualifiers.
Haaland was just 17 then and made his debut two years later. Yes, Odegaard’s absence due to injury a factor but this defeat was still brutal.
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After four Nations League rounds, Slovenia, Austria, and Norway each have seven points. Kazakhstan will drop down to the lower division with one.