Azerbaijan beaten as Havard Nordtveit earns Norway third straight victory

Updated: May 17, 2023, 01:27 pm

Havard Nordtveit scored and led Norway to a 1-0 win in Azerbaijan on Sunday for their third straight victory in Euro 2016 qualifying.

The Borussia Monchengladbach defender headed Stefan Johansen's corner into the back of the net in the 25th minute to silence the crowd at the Tofik Bakhramov stadium.

Norway were unlucky not to double their lead in the 69th minute when Alexander Tettey's header hit the bar.

The visitors now have nine points in Group H while Azerbaijan are still to get off the mark after losing their fourth consecutive qualifier.

Norway went into the encounter in Baku looking to make amends for their 1-0 home defeat to Estonia in last week's international friendly.

With Blackburn forward Joshua King injured and unavailable, Norway coach Per-Mathias Hogmo fielded Tarik Elyounoussi in support of Havard Nielsen.

Elyounoussi had a good chance to put his team ahead in the 19th minute but his right-footed effort from close range went just wide.

The Norwegian players celebrate Nordtveit's winner.
Resul Rehimov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The visitors took the lead before the half-hour mark when Nordtveit got past his marker and headed a corner past Azerbaijan goalkeeper Salahat Agayev.

Nielsen could have extended Norway's advantage three minutes later but saw Agayev keep out his close-range shot.

The hosts missed a good chance to pull level before the interval when Rauf Aliyev's header went just wide of the far post.

The Scandinavians looked more dangerous after the restart and twice had the opportunity to double their lead. In the 51st minute, Tettey's bullet strike from 30 yards forced Agayev to fully stretch to clear.

Shortly after, Nielsen headed the ball towards the path of Elyounoussi and his left-footed attempt was saved by Agayev.

Norway could not find away through but defended well and held on for an important away win.