Norway claimed a hard-fought win against Estonia, earning their fourth straight victory in the World Cup qualifying campaign. With maximum points from four matches, they now lead their group and are widely viewed as favourites for the automatic qualification position.
The Norwegian team has been in superb form during this international break, having also defeated Italy in their earlier fixture. Estonia proved to be more resilient, but Norway eventually found the breakthrough. With each successive win, speculation has grown regarding their likely appearance in the upcoming World Cup.
Solbakken Cautious Despite Optimism
While fans and media figures continue to discuss the team’s chances, national team manager Ståle Solbakken remains measured in his assessment. When asked whether he agrees with a claim that Norway now has a 92 percent chance of qualifying, he replied, as quoted by TV2, “92 percent chance? No, I’m done with that percentage calculation, I’ve missed that before.”
Solbakken’s response reflects his refusal to engage in the growing media narrative surrounding probabilities and predictions. His approach appears aimed at keeping the players focused on their immediate objectives rather than on future outcomes that remain undecided.
Sørloth Confident but Level-Headed
Forward Alexander Sørloth struck a more optimistic tone while still calling for restraint. “Of course, I have faith in it, I also had that before the qualifiers started. But, we will take it game by game and not rush, you and everyone around can do that. I understand there is enthusiasm around, but we have to stay sober and think about the next game,” he said, also as quoted by TV2.
Sørloth’s comments capture the balance within the squad, confidence built on performance, paired with discipline and patience. While the public may look ahead, the players remain grounded and committed to their next task.
This mindset, paired with their consistency, places Norway in a commanding position as the qualifiers continue.
