Norway are a provisional six points clear at the top of their World Cup (WC) qualification group after they demolished Moldova 11-1 at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on Tuesday evening. Erling Haaland struck five times, hugely strengthening his position as leading goalscorer in the 2026 qualifiers.
However, despite the impressive Norwegian performance, coach Stale Solbakken was anything but pleased when his players entered the dressing room at the interval.
"Stale actually shouted at them a bit during the break, so the players were surprised by that. Because he wasn't completely satisfied", said national team assistant coach Brede Hangeland in the NRK podcast "Bakrommet" after the match.
"I think they were a little shocked. They thought maybe I should praise them a little more", said Solbakken at the press conference after the match.
Despite the fact that Norway led by five goals, had 67% possession and hadn't allowed a single chance for the visitors before the break, Solbakken was certainly not all smiles in the dressing room at Ullevaal.
Instead Solbakken launched a furious tirade to prevent his players from losing focus.
"The boys are a bit upset because I was quite stern during the break. They laugh a bit about it. But for me it was very important that they continued", Solbakken told TV 2 Norge.
Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth was among the players who were surprised by the reaction of the national team manager.
"We were told after the match that it was a good thing we scored six in the second half, because it was a complete mess at half-time", said Sorloth.
"Maybe it was good that he gave us a little wake-up call, because then we pushed on. But we know what he is like. He makes demands, and that's good."
With five games played, the Norwegians top Group I on 15 points, six ahead of second-placed Italy, who have a game in hand. Moldova's worst defeat leaves them bottom of the group with no points.