The Norwegian players did not give up on attacking.
After the restart, Norwegian midfielders like Ødegaard, Theodore Bjorn, and Selnæs immediately initiated high-pressure pressing.
Their goal was clear: to pressure the opponent's defense with constant running and pressing, and then aim to score a third goal before the end of the first half.
The deeper Sweden's defensive line retreated, the further forward Norway's attacking line advanced!
In the blink of an eye, the match reached the 40th minute. This time, after winning the ball back in midfield, the Norwegian players did not rush forward recklessly. Instead, they opted to pass the ball backward.
Theodore Bjorn also dropped back to the defensive line.
Norwegian center-back Nordtveit, seeing Theodore Bjorn in front of him, immediately passed the ball at his feet to him, entrusting him with organizing the attack.
"Theodore Bjorn has actually dropped back into his own half to receive the ball. His position now resembles more of a defensive midfielder," Gary Neville noted on the Sky Sports broadcast.
"The Swedish defenders have made a huge mistake, There's no defensive player around Theodore Bjorn to pressure him!!"
As the co commentator, Neville immediately pointed out Sweden's problem.
He continued, "Theodore Bjorn has demonstrated his long-passing ability in numerous matches! If the Swedish players don't pressure him, with his technique, he can directly threaten the opponent's penalty area!"
Just as Neville finished speaking, Theodore Bjorn showcased his exquisite skill.
Boom!!!
Theodore didn't choose to dribble or pass backward, Instead he immediately launched a long pass.
The ball sailed over the center circle, heading straight for the opponent's penalty area.
Pressure mounted on every Swedish defender.
At this moment, Erling Haaland was almost entirely surrounded by Swedish defenders. Two center-backs, Granqvist and Helander, even the defensive midfielder, Ekdal, charged into the penalty area, immediately grappling and pulling at Haaland!
Under the pressure of three Swedish defenders, Erling Haaland had no chance to contest the header.
However, Theodore Bjorn's pass was never intended for Haaland in the first place.
It was aimed at Norway's other tall striker, Bjørn Johnsen.
At this moment, when the entire Swedish defense focused their attention on Haaland, it inevitably left space around Bjørn Johnsen.
Only one full-back, Augustinsson, was marking the towering striker.
As the ball descended toward Bjørn Johnsen's head, the entire Swedish team pinned their last defensive hopes on full-back Augustinsson.
The outcome was brutal...
Bjørn Johnsen leaped into the air with the force of a collapsing mountain, he powerfully headed the ball into the net.
As for the Swedish full-back, during this defensive moment, he barely even caught a glimpse of the ball.
Bjørn Johnsen's powerful header blasted past Swedish goalkeeper Olsen's outstretched hands.
The ball flew straight into the net!
"OH, WHAT A HEADER!!! IT'S THREE!!! IT IS DEVASTATING!!!" Martin Tyler roared into the microphone, his voice echoing with pure electricity.
"BJØRN JOHNSEN RISES LIKE A BEAR TO TEAR THE ROOF OFF ULLEVAAL STADIUM! AN UNSTOPPABLE FINISH FROM AN UNBELIEVABLE PASS! THREE-NIL TO NORWAY!"
Norway had already established a commanding three-goal lead before the end of the first half.
If there were no surprises, the suspense of this match was essentially over.
After the restart, Sweden's confidence was shattered.
But at the same time, all Swedish players also realized that they needed to take the initiative and attack!
There was no longer any meaning in stubbornly sticking to dull defense, railing 0-3, the Swedish team had only one path left—to press forward and attack!
As the first half neared its end, more precisely, at the 44th minute and 21st second of the match, Sweden began to press heavily toward Norway's penalty area.
Midfielder Kristoffer Olsson, receiving a pass from a teammate in the midfield, suddenly delivered a through ball.
This time, Kristoffer Olsson did not choose to loft the ball but instead sent a low, driven through pass.
Instantly, the ball appeared at the feet of forward Alexander Isak.
This player, who plays for Mainz in the Bundesliga, is not adept at aerial attacks.
Compared to competing for headers in the air, Isak prefers to dribble and break through.
He possesses the ability to take on defenders individually, and his explosive power is also quite good.
"Sweden is launching a counterattack!" Martin Tyler called the action. "Isak has received the ball on the wing! This player has actively dropped back to the wing to dribble! It seems Isak is about to showcase his dribbling skills!"
Martin Tyler was very familiar with Isak as a player and clearly understood his technical characteristics.
On the left flank, after receiving the pass from his teammate, Isak didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately accelerated with the ball.
Relying on his excellent explosive power, Isak pushed the ball forward with a single touch, suddenly bypassing the opposing full-back, Birger Meling, after that, Isak continued to accelerate along the wing.
But just three seconds later, more Norwegian players appeared in front of Isak.
Among them were Martin Ødegaard and Mathias Normann.
At the same time, center-back Håvard Nordtveit was also moving toward Isak.
In the blink of an eye, Isak was almost surrounded by three players!
Seeing this, Isak immediately passed the ball! He had a fairly clear understanding of his own abilities.
He knew very well that, given his current level, the chances of breaking through under pressure from multiple defenders were almost zero.
He had only one choice, pass the ball!
But just as the ball left Isak's foot, Ødegaard threw his body in the way to block it, successfully disrupting the play.
Another Norwegian midfielder, Mathias Normann, reacted quickly with his feet and immediately gained control of the ball.
Just as Normann was about to launch a long ball directly toward the front field, he suddenly saw Theodore Bjorn waving to him.
Without hesitation, Normann immediately changed his passing target.
He delivered the ball to Theodore at the first opportunity.
Near the center circle, after receiving the ball, Theodore had only one defender pressuring him from behind.
It was defensive midfielder Albin Ekdal, also the strongest defensive midfielder in Sweden's current lineup.
Ekdal naturally wouldn't give Theodore a chance to pass.
He immediately closed in from behind, preventing Theodore Bjorn from turning.
Seeing this, Theodore Bjorn quickly used his right foot to flick the ball, then suddenly pulled it back and turned.
Just as Ekdal was about to lunge in for a tackle, unexpectedly, Theodore Bjorn took the initiative, gently nudging the ball once more with his right foot!
In one fluid motion, the ball slipped right through Ekdal's legs.
"A nutmeg!!" Martin Tyler shouted. "With a stylish nutmeg, Theodore Bjorn successfully evades Ekdal's challenge!!"
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