Key Takeaways:
- Norway secured a 3-1 win over Sweden last night in Oslo to mark 12 victories from their past 15 outings
- Sweden’s struggles persisted as they failed to keep a clean sheet for the 10th successive match
- Blagult host Greece on 4th June, while Norway will face Morocco in New Jersey on 7th June
Norway Assert Early Authority in Oslo
Norway produced a formidable attacking display in the opening half at Ullevaal Stadium, dispatching Sweden 3-1 in an international friendly as part of their preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. With this dominant result, Stale Solbakken’s side extended their run to 12 wins in their last 15 matches, sending a clear message ahead of their North American trip.
The hosts made their intent clear from the outset and took just nine minutes to go ahead, as Jorgen Strand Larsen steered in Julian Ryerson’s drilled delivery. Norway’s attacking momentum was relentless and, by the 20-minute mark, Antonio Nusa had doubled the advantage with a powerful strike beyond the reach of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
Norway's World Cup preparations begin with a big win over rivals Sweden 🇳🇴🔥 pic.twitter.com/ywuQzaIG7A
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) June 1, 2026
Sweden’s Defensive Woes Continue
Zetterstrom prevented further damage with a fine reflex save against Strand Larsen, but the respite was brief. Norway soon increased their lead to 3-0, with Strand Larsen heading home from another Ryerson set-piece. Sweden appeared bereft of ideas in the first half, registering just six touches inside Norway’s penalty area before the break – a statistic that reflected their lack of attacking threat and contributed to Graham Potter’s decision to make eight changes at half-time.
Following the interval, the visitors showed flashes of improvement, firing two shots on target within the opening five minutes. However, the Norwegians maintained their intensity and continued to force errors from their Scandinavian rivals. Nusa was denied again by Zetterstrom, and only an offside call spared Sweden from conceding a fourth when David Moller Wolfe found the net at the far post.
Late Sweden Rally Not Enough
As the second half progressed, Andreas Schjelderup orchestrated several opportunities for Norway, but it was Sweden who grabbed the next goal. Fourteen minutes from time, Alexander Isak produced a brilliant solo run down the left, weaving through the home defence before curling a shot past the goalkeeper. Sweden nearly pulled another back moments later, but Sebastian Nanasi’s header was chalked off following VAR intervention, easing Norway’s path to victory.
| Fixture | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway vs Sweden | 1 June | Ullevaal Stadium | 3-1 |
| Sweden vs Greece | 4th June | Home | Upcoming |
| Norway vs Morocco | 7th June | New Jersey | Upcoming |
Looking Ahead to the World Cup
While Norway’s comprehensive triumph came without the services of both Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, it marked only their third victory in their last nine friendly fixtures (D3, L3), providing timely momentum for Solbakken’s men. Conversely, Sweden’s difficulties showed no sign of abating, with their defensive fragility extending to a run of 10 matches without a shutout, a concern for Graham Potter as his squad gears up for their final warm-up against Greece on 4th June. Norway’s concluding test before making a return to the World Cup stage will be against Morocco, held in New Jersey on 7th June.
