Fighting Spirit, Narrow Margins: Estonia falls just short against Norway

The Estonian men’s national team returned to the pitch in Tallinn for a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against a high-flying Norwegian side at A. Le Coq Arena. Despite the odds, the Sinisärgid (Blue Shirts) put up a gutsy performance in front of 11,577 fans, but Norway secured a narrow 1–0 win thanks to a goal from Erling Haaland.

With Norway coming off a dominant 3–0 victory over Italy and Estonia still smarting from a 1–3 home loss to Israel just days prior, the stakes and expectations couldn’t have been higher.

Estonia, who entered the match with one win and two losses in the group, made three changes to their starting lineup: 17-year-old Patrik Kristal, Kevor Palumets, and Rauno Sappinen stepped in for Yakovlev, Soomets, and Tamm. Norway, by contrast, named the same starting XI that dismantled Italy in their previous outing — a side featuring the ever-dangerous Haaland and the creative spark of Martin Ødegaard.

From the opening whistle by Serbian referee Srdan Jovanovic, Estonia faced immense pressure. Haaland had a half-chance in the 5th minute, and shortly after, Ødegaard found space to shoot from the edge of the box, but Märten Kuusk threw himself in the way to make the block. The match quickly tilted toward Estonia’s half, with midfielders dropping deep and wingers tracking back often.

Yet Estonia held firm, and when Norway managed to carve out a clear opportunity — a blistering counterattack ending in Haaland firing from 11 meters — goalkeeper Karl Hein came up huge with a clean catch that electrified the home crowd.

The match’s story quickly became one of near misses and frustrating bounces. Haaland rattled the post after an aerial duel with Kuusk, and Sinjavski responded with a thunderous strike that clipped the goalkeeper’s fingertips and ricocheted off the crossbar.

As the second half got underway, Estonia continued to weather the storm. Hein dealt confidently with Nusa’s long-range effort, and the hosts grew more daring in their forward play. Kristal’s energy on the wing stood out, though his final ball occasionally lacked connection.

Then came heartbreak: after Estonia’s best spell of sustained possession and a promising attack ending with a blocked Sinjavski shot, Norway broke with terrifying speed. Haaland shrugged off Paskotši, hit the bar, and was first to the rebound to slot it home. A cruel sequence for Estonia, who had done so well to stay in the fight.

Estonia didn’t crumble. Sappinen nearly equalized with a deflected shot that hit the post, and later forced a decent save. The home side kept piling forward, hurling crosses into the box and pushing for a late miracle. Tamm nearly connected with a dangerous delivery, and Saarman sent the rebound just over the bar.

The final whistle blew on what was a bruising, tightly contested battle. Norway escaped with a hard-earned win — their fourth in seven historical meetings with Estonia — while the hosts were left to reflect on a performance full of grit, promise, and painful near misses.

Estonia vs Norway – 0:1 (0:0)
Goals: Haaland 62′
EST: Hein, Schjonning – Larsen, Paskotši (Anier 84′), Kuusk, Saliste (Saarma 84′), Palumets (Poom 90+3′), Shein, Kristal, Kait (Miller 46′), Sinjavskij, Sappinen (Tamm 84′)
NOR: Nyland, Ryerson, Ajer, Lysaker Heggem, Wolfe (Ostigard 90′), Odegaard, Berge, Thorsby (Bobb 46′ Berg 90′), Nusa (Johnsen 68′), Haaland, Sorloth (Larsen 82′)