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.
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.
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.
After four Nations League rounds, Slovenia, Austria, and Norway each have seven points. Kazakhstan will drop down to the lower division with one.
