Norway Edges Finland 1-0 in International Friendly

Norway beats Finland 1-0 in Oslo friendly match

Norway defeats Finland 1-0 in an international friendly match in Oslo. Erling Haaland scores the winning penalty.

Norway dominated the first half, but Finland, also known as the “Eagle Owls,” managed to limit the score to a single goal...

Erling Haaland's penalty kick proved decisive in Norway's 1-0 friendly win over Finland at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. This victory extends Norway's perfect record in 2025. Finland boss Jacob Friis opted for an experimental lineup, considering the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The match wasn't a crucial fixture for either team, with both focusing on their World Cup qualifying campaigns. Haaland's penalty, awarded after Topi Keskinen fouled Andreas Schjelderup in the box, showcased Norway's attacking prowess. Finland struggled to create scoring opportunities, ultimately failing to capitalize on their limited chances.

Norway fielded a star-studded starting lineup, and their dominance was evident from the start. Their pressure paid off in the 15th minute when Topi Keskinen fouled Andreas Schjelderup in the box. Erling Haaland stepped up to take the penalty and scored his 43rd goal in 44 international appearances, showcasing his clinical finishing.

Haaland's penalty kick was dispatched past Viljami Sinisalo, demonstrating his precision and skill. This goal highlighted Norway's attacking prowess and set the tone for the rest of the match. Haaland's performance was a testament to his talent and experience on the international stage.

Norway dominated the first half, but Finland, also known as the “Eagle Owls,” managed to limit the score to a single goal, trailing 1-0 at halftime. Erling Haaland's penalty kick in the early stages of the game proved to be the deciding factor.

During halftime, Finland's coach gave Oiva Jukkola and Adam Marhiev their senior international debuts. Marhiev showed promise, although Finland struggled to create scoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes. Meanwhile, Norway, led by Stale Solbakken, looked more likely to score a second goal but ultimately couldn't capitalize on their chances.

Suomi taipui Norjassa.

Huuhkajat pelaa seuraavaksi huipputärkeän MM-karsintaottelun Puolan vieraana - kaikki katseet on käännetty sunnuntai-iltaan. Oi Suomi on! 💙🤍#Huuhkajat #MeOlemmeSuomi #NORFIN pic.twitter.com/H887W9dzHj

— Huuhkajat (@Huuhkajat) September 4, 2025

Finland has extended their winning run to seven matches, setting them up well for their Group I qualifier against Moldova on Tuesday. This victory provides valuable preparation as they aim to reach their first major tournament since UEFA EURO 2000.

Finland's Upcoming Challenge

Finland will look to boost their attacking prowess when they face Poland in a crucial Group G qualifier on Sunday. By then, they might have lost their top spot in the group to either Poland or the Netherlands, who are set to meet tonight. Finland will need to regroup and come up with a solid strategy to overcome Poland and stay competitive in the qualifying process.

Next Steps

Both teams will shift their focus to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Finland, ranked 69th in the world, aims to qualify for their first World Cup, while Norway will look to build on their momentum. Finland's coach, Jacob Friis, will need to fine-tune his team's performance to achieve their goals