– It was very nice. It was a big moment for me, and something I will remember for a long time, Gaupset told NTB. In her fourth international match, she scored during the Euro qualifying against Albania on Tuesday.
She was substituted in for the four-goal scorer Frida Maanum, but the Albanians were mistaken if they thought the substitute would be much easier to handle. In the 75th minute, she battled in the box and headed in Vilde Bøe Risa’s cross.
– I wouldn’t say that I’m a header player, exactly. It was fun that the goal came from a header, and that I got to score here at Ullevaal in front of so many people, she said.
Four from Frida
Maanum scored four goals, including a hat trick in 14 minutes in the second half. She opened Norway’s goal fest with a spectacular volley in the 18th minute and scored 4-0, 5-0, and 6-0 after the break between the 51st and 65th minutes. Then, to the relief of the Albanians, she was substituted out.
The Arsenal player shocked the entire football world in April when she collapsed on the pitch during the English League Cup final. Fortunately, she recovered well, and on Tuesday she showed that she is truly back to her old form.
Lisa Naalsund, Ada Hegerberg, and Signe Gaupset also scored from open play at Ullevaal, before Guro Reiten and Vilde Bøe Risa sealed the result with each converting a penalty.
As expected, it was one-way traffic against Albania, who won their group in the C division during qualifying. The guests defended resolutely in a deep 4-5-1 formation but had to watch as they were outclassed. The women’s national team faced Albania for the sixth time and now has a total goal score of 40-0.
After the 5-0 victory in Shkodër on Friday, the return match was a formality and an opportunity to practice ahead of the qualifying final at the end of November-December. That will determine whether Norway qualifies for a women’s Euro or World Cup for the 22nd consecutive time.
Super scoring
Despite total dominance, the game started a bit sluggishly until Maanum showed in the 18th minute how it can be done. Guro Reiten’s cross from the left was anything but a finished product, but in acrobatic fashion, the Arsenal player reached the high ball and struck it on the volley so that it dipped into the corner.
Maanum was the player most frequently taking shots, and she was involved when the lead was doubled after just under half an hour. Hegerberg won the ball high up the pitch, Maanum executed a nutmeg, and Emilie Woldvik played it diagonally out. Naalsund shot flat into the corner.
Norway was soon wading through chances but didn’t get closer to 3-0 than Naalsund’s shot hitting the crossbar before Hegerberg scored just before half-time. In her first international match as a starter since February, she was ruthless when played through by Vilde Bøe Risa, and she could celebrate her 49th international goal.
Almost three weeks after Erling Braut Haaland topped the men’s scoring list with his 34th national team goal, Hegerberg climbed to tied 7th place on the women’s scoring list, but she was substituted out at half-time and must wait for number 50.
Hat trick
The chance fest continued even without her. Just over a minute into the second half, Risa hammered a cross from Reiten onto the crossbar, causing it to tremble. In the 51st minute, Reiten sent a long pass forward to Maanum, who scored in a duel with the keeper. The linesman flagged for offside, but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was approved.
Just before the hour mark, Maanum should have had her hat trick, but she struck the evening’s third shot against the crossbar after wall play with Reiten. Instead, the Arsenal player’s third goal came just over a minute later, when assisted by Celin Bizet Ildhusøy, she placed the ball into the corner. Thus, Norway had reached a double-digit victory margin overall.
In the 65th minute, Maanum curved in her fourth goal, and right after that, Albania’s players could let out a sigh of relief when she was substituted.
It didn’t help much when her replacement Gaupset nodded in Risa’s cross to make it 7-0.
Reiten, wearing the captain’s armband after Maren Mjelde was substituted, made it 8-0 from the penalty spot after Cathinka Tandberg was fouled. Just before the end, Risa also got to score from the penalty spot.
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! I’m thrilled to have football expert, Dr. Alex Thompson, here with us today. Alex, we just witnessed an impressive display from Norway’s women’s national team in their Euro qualifying match against Albania. What are your thoughts on their performance?
Dr. Thompson: Thanks for having me! Norway’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. They displayed sheer dominance throughout the match. Frida Maanum’s hat trick was incredible—scoring three goals in just 14 minutes is a remarkable feat at any level!
Editor: Absolutely! It was a significant return for Maanum after her health scare earlier this year. How do you think her recovery has impacted the team’s dynamics?
Dr. Thompson: Maanum’s return is not just crucial from a scoring perspective, but also for team morale. When a player faces such a critical situation and comes back strong, it inspires the rest of the squad. It sends a message that resilience pays off, and it certainly lifts the performance level of the whole team. Her confidence was evident in how she commanded the game.
Editor: Speaking of confidence, Signe Gaupset scored her first goal in international play! How important is it for younger players like her to find the back of the net, especially in high-stakes matches?
Dr. Thompson: It’s monumental! Scoring in a match against a European opponent boosts a young player’s confidence tremendously. For Gaupset, making her mark in such a significant way—especially with a header, which she admitted isn’t her specialty—is a memory she’ll cherish. It not only adds to her personal tally but also strengthens her position within the team.
Editor: There’s a lot of excitement about the women’s team gearing up for the final qualifying match at the end of the year. How crucial is it for them to maintain this momentum as they approach the final stretch?
Dr. Thompson: Continuity is key in football. What we saw against Albania was a confidence-building exercise ahead of that crucial qualifier. The team needs to carry this form into future matches, maintaining the rhythm and synergy they demonstrated. Winning against weaker opponents like Albania can sometimes disguise underlying issues, but as long as they remain focused and learn from each match, they’ll be in a strong position.
Editor: You mentioned synergy—how did the team’s structure contribute to their success in the match?
Dr. Thompson: Norway’s formation allowed for fluid transitions and overlapping runs. You had players like Ada Hegerberg and Lisa Naalsund working in tandem to break down the Albanian defense. The use of a deep 4-5-1 by Albania was a defensive strategy, but they struggled to contain Norway’s attacking players who were quick, sharp, and relentless. The players showed great understanding of each other’s movements, which was crucial in maintaining pressure and exploiting weaknesses.
Editor: And let’s not forget about the penalties scored by Guro Reiten and Vilde Bøe Risa. How do penalties fit into the larger context of the game?
Dr. Thompson: Scoring penalties can seem straightforward, but it also indicates a team’s composure under pressure. Converting them successfully can alleviate the pressure of the game, especially when the scoreline is already heavily in your favor. It builds momentum and can be a vital tool for confidence in players who might have avoided high-pressure situations in the past.
Editor: You have provided some great insights, Alex. As a closing thought, with Norway having such a dominant record against Albania, what should be their focus moving forward into the next qualifiers?
Dr. Thompson: They need to focus on refining their gameplay, particularly in creating and converting varied scoring opportunities. They should also reinforce their defensive structures to avoid complacency. Each match is a chance to grow, and with a strong finish to their qualifiers, they can set themselves up for another successful campaign in the Euros or World Cup.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Thompson. Your expertise sheds light on the performance and potential of the Norwegian women’s team. We look forward to seeing how they progress in the coming matches!