Antonio Nusa scored a brace which saw Norway dismantled Sweden 3-1 in a friendly match in preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
Norway asserted their dominance all through the match which saw them effectively dismantling the Swedish defense before a second-half resurgence from the visitors added a late consolation.
Norway entered the match with clear intent, deploying an aggressive 4-4-2 formation that caught the Swedish 5-3-2 setup off balance.
The tactical gamble by the Norwegian coaching staff paid dividends almost immediately. It was all about Norway bossing play and controlling things from kick-off.
The opening goal came in the 8th minute, with Jørgen Strand Larsen capitalising on a sharp transition to find the back of the net.
The momentum continued to swing heavily in favor of the hosts, who utilized the wide areas with clinical precision.
Just nine minutes later, in the 17th minute, Antonio Nusa doubled the lead with a well-placed finish that left Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström with little chance.
Sweden struggled to find a foothold in the game, pinned back by Norway’s intense press and superior possession.
The clinical nature of the Norwegian attack was further highlighted in the 36th minute when Jørgen Strand Larsen struck again, securing his brace and putting the game firmly out of Sweden’s reach before the half-time whistle.
Coming out for the second half, the Swedish national team made a raft of substitutions, clearly aiming to shore up their defensive structure and introduce fresh legs to the midfield.
The tactical shuffle including the introduction of Alexander Isak and Victor Lindelöf, brought more stability to the visitors’ play.
The second half became a much more balanced affair, characterized by heavy rotation from both benches as coaches utilized the friendly format to test their depth.
Norway comfortably sat on their three-goal cushion, managing the clock and disrupting Swedish build-up play.
Sweden’s perseverance finally paid off in the 75th minute. Alexander Isak, whose introduction provided the spark the visitors desperately needed, clawed a goal back for Sweden.
Despite the late pressure, Norway’s defensive line, led by Ørjan Nyland’s steady hands in goal, ensured no further damage was done, holding out for a well-deserved 3–1 victory.
For Sweden, the loss serves as a humbling reminder of the work required to tighten their defensive transitions.
For Norway, this performance is a significant confidence booster, proving they can dismantle a tactically disciplined side with pace and precision.
After the match Graham Potter was displeased with his team performance and he was blunt with his assessment.
Potter said: “It was a very tough night for us, of course. Norway are ahead of us in terms of their game, how long they have worked together.
“We were not as good as we wanted to be, absolutely not.
“The first (half) was a huge disappointment, the second was better. We have to improve.
Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Lindelof also had something to say concerning the match which didn’t go well for them from the first half.
“They punished us quite easily. There was a bit of a lack of energy in the first half.
“You shouldn’t stare blindly at the result today. We lost today, so congratulations Norway.
“But we are working for something bigger that will come in a few weeks.
“This is nothing that will affect the boys. If this had been our first match in the World Cup it wouldn’t have been good, but now it was a training match,” explained Lindelof.
As both teams look toward their upcoming fixtures, the performance of Jørgen Strand Larsen will undoubtedly be a talking point, as his two-goal haul was the centerpiece of an electric evening in Oslo.
With the summer schedule heating up, this friendly has provided both nations with vital insights into their current form, tactical flexibility, and squad depth.
Both Norway and Sweden will be taking part at this year 2026 FIFA World Cup which is expected to commence in the coming days.
