Alexander Sørloth and Erling Haaland each scored twice in Norway's 4-1 residence win towards Estonia on Thursday that put them on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup for the primary time since 1998.
Norway have all however secured a spot at subsequent 12 months's event in North America as they maintain a six-point lead over second-placed Italy, who play Moldova in a while Thursday, in Group I. Italy have to beat each Moldova and Norway of their remaining two qualifiers and overturn a 19-goal deficit to leapfrog the Norwegians and snatch the automated qualifying spot.
The guests initially denied the hosts the house and rhythm they've so usually exploited throughout this qualification marketing campaign. Oscar Bobb missed the most effective probability to place Norway forward when he struck the woodwork with a low cross simply earlier than half-time. The house crowd, anticipating a cushty lead, made their frustration clear, greeting the whistle with loud boos because the gamers headed in direction of the dressing room.
5 minutes after the restart, loud cheers erupted across the stadium after Sander Berge swung in a cross in entrance of the field that Sørloth headed in to interrupt the impasse. Barely two minutes later, Sørloth guided a second header residence.
From then on there was no stopping Norway. The Estonian defence fell aside, and one other pushed cross discovered Haaland, who powered in yet one more header to present Norway a 3-0 lead within the 56th minute. Haaland added one other within the 62nd minute earlier than Robi Saarma pulled one again for Estonia simply two minutes later.
Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 of their World Cup African qualifying playoff semi-final in Rabat, however they wanted additional time earlier than working out snug winners.
The striker Akor Adams snapped up a shallow again go from Gabon's defender Aaron Appindangoyé and caught the goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba manner out of his aim for a straightforward tap-in for Nigeria's opening aim within the 78th minute. However Mario Lemina snatched an 89th-minute equaliser to take the sport into a further half-hour.
A aim from Chidera Ejuke and two from Victor Osimhen made certain of Nigeria's progress to the ultimate within the Moroccan capital on Sunday, the place they may tackle the Democratic Republic of Congo. The winner then advances to the inter-confederation playoffs in March the place six groups will compete for 2 locations on the 2026 finals
Within the different semi-final, the Democratic Republic of Congo captain, Chancel Mbemba, snuck in on the again publish to attain a dramatic last-gasp winner for his group as they edged Cameroon 1-0.
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Mbemba stole in unmarked to pressure residence a nook from Brian Cipenga to safe a dramatic victory for his nation and maintain them heading in the right direction for attainable qualification to subsequent 12 months's finals. Cameroon's eight earlier World Cup finals appearances are a document for an African nation however that gave them little superiority over a decided Congolese aspect in a match performed in persistent rain.
The Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, who had been an harm doubt earlier than the match, made a high quality cease to disclaim Théo Bongonda on the hour mark, whereas 5 minutes later, on the different finish, Bryan Mbeumo burst via onto a probing go however steered his effort broad from shut vary. Two half-chances fell for Cameroon's Karl Etta Eyong within the closing minutes, even because the Congolese gave the impression to be ending stronger, earlier than Mbemba popped up with the winner.
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