Oranje Beat Løvene To Reach World Cup

 In front of an empty De Kuip, the Norwegians offered precious little threat all night, and went out with a whimper. 

 As the hosts needed just a point to progress, they set a very slow pace in the opening stages, starving Norway of the ball.

 In fact, the visitors failed to register a single shot in a lacklustre first half in Rotterdam. 

Louis Van Gaal’s men were struggling for openings against the group’s top defence, but their best openings were coming through Memphis Depay. 

The Barcelona forward drew saves from Ørjan Nyland with a close-range header as well as an audacious backheel, before a thunderous volley from the edge of the box stung the palms of the shot-stopper. 

The ‘Oranje’s’ best opening came through Arnaut Danjuma, when the winger cut inside his marker to fire a shot just wide. 

Needing all three points for a chance at qualifying, Norway had work to do at HT. 

 With both sides knowing conceding would leave them staring elimination in the face, there was no relief to the tension after the restart. 

Van Gaal, stricken to the stands by injury, was relaying instructions by phone and was surely startled at his side’s lack of quality in the second period. 

Their first sign of life came 20 minutes into the half, as Steven Bergwijn’s cross to the back post was met by Danjuma, but his effort was far too high to trouble Nyland. 

 Ståle Solbakken’s side were struggling to create chances without the talismanic Erling Haaland and were unable to trouble Jasper Cillessen in the closing stages.

 Their elimination was secured by a late, emphatic finish by Steven Bergwijn, ensuring Turkey’s place in the play-offs in the process. 

The Tottenham winger lashed the ball past Nyland from close range after being played in by Danjuma to take any remaining hope away from Norway, who will extend their 21-year wait for a place in a major tournament finals. 

Their misery was compounded as Bergwijn accelerated away on a counter attack before teeing up Depay to double the lead and register his 18th goal contribution of this qualifying campaign. 

Source: FlashScore