Erling Haaland endured a depressing outing as Norway captain, together with his goal-scoring exploits powerless in stopping Austria declare a thumping 5-1 win of their Nations League conflict.
Haaland, standing in for injured skipper Martin Odegaard, watched on as his nation suffered a second-half collapse on the Raiffeisen Area on Sunday.
The Manchester Metropolis striker turned Norway’s all-time high scorer with a brace of their 3-0 win over Slovenia in midweek, taking his whole to 34 targets in 36 video games, and threatened so as to add to that tally when he struck the put up early on.
Nevertheless, a dominant begin by the hosts was rewarded when Marko Arnautovic thundered his aspect in entrance within the eighth minute with a fierce effort off the crossbar.
Norway discovered themselves stage six minutes earlier than half-time when Alexander Sorloth headed Julian Ryerson’s free-kick past the on-rushing Patrick Pentz.
Andreas Hanche-Olsen’s foul on Christoph Baumgartner contained in the field proved to be the start of the tip for Norway after the break, with Arnautovic stepping as much as rating the ensuing penalty.
Austria elevated their lead quickly after by means of Philipp Lienhart’s header, with Stefan Posch nodding the hosts 4-1 in entrance after being picked out on the again put up by Marcel Sabitzer.
The rout was full within the 71st minute, with Sabitzer once more the architect, teeing up Michael Gregoritsch for yet one more header to ship Austria joint-top of Group B3 alongside Norway.
NO WORDS NEEDED… #GemeinsamÖSTERREICH pic.twitter.com/xsOsGCbhvr
— ÖFB – oefb.at (@oefb1904) October 13, 2024
