– I feel we deserve this after many rounds with tough results. We were aware of the importance of this match, so a win is very good for the whole team, says Ada Hegerberg to news. Norway had to avoid a loss at home against Portugal to avoid direct relegation from level A in the national league, but after Hegerberg’s hat trick, Norway tightened its grip on the important third place in group 2. – It is not often that you get the opportunity to score a hat trick for Norway. Being good for Norway means a lot to me, continues the 28-year-old. It was Hegerberg’s first hat trick for the Norwegian national team since the 5-1 victory against Kosovo in April last year. Since then, she had only scored two goals in 11 international matches. This is why the national league is important for Norway The national league this autumn is very important for Norway, as it lays the foundation for the regular EC qualification for the EC play-offs in 2025. At the moment, Norway plays in level A, which consists of four groups, but is in danger to move down to level B. Before the last two international matches of the year, Norway is table jumbo in group 2 after two losses and two draws. Fourth place from level A and B moves down to level B and C respectively, while group three must play a playoff against group two in the level below. The groups for the regular EC qualification next year will not be drawn, but are based on the national league this year. If Norway moves down to level B in the nations league, the road to the EC play-offs in 2025 will be far more challenging compared to the EC road from level A. Eight nations go directly to the EC in 2025, in addition to host nation Switzerland: All four group winners from level A, as well as the group runners-up from level A go directly to the EC. The third and fourth places from level A meet the five group winners from level C, as well as the three best group runners-up from level C. A total of eight games where the eight winners go on to a decisive EC playoff. No one from level B goes directly to the EC. The group winners from level B and the two best group runners-up from level B meet the two worst group runners-up from level B and the group runners-up from level B. Here, the six winners advance to the decisive playoff. In the decisive European Championship playoff, there will be a total of 14 nations, with the seven winners qualified for the European Championship play-offs in 2025. Norwegian dream start Superstar Hegerberg ensured a Norwegian dream start when she sent Norway, who had five straight games without a win before Friday’s fateful match , in the lead already after three minutes in the first attack of the match. – She is back, exclaimed news’s football expert Carl-Erik Torp when Hegerberg scored his first national team goal since the 4-2 loss to Spain in April earlier this year. CELEBRATION: Ada Hegerberg got on the scoring list when Portugal visited Ullevaal on Friday evening. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB For the first time since this summer’s disappointing World Cup finals, the Lyon star was back in the national team. The 28-year-old, who has struggled with a stress injury in recent months, ran free in the visitors’ penalty area and was able to celebrate her 44th national team goal when she headed in unmarked the cross from left-back Marit Bratberg Lund. – It is the top qualities that come together. The left foot of Bratberg Lund and the extreme expertise of Ada in the field, said news expert Torp. Only five minutes later, Hegerberg doubled the lead after eight magical opening minutes. Referee Ivana Martinčić pointed to the penalty mark when a clumsy Carole Costa handled in her own penalty area and Hegerberg scored her second when she placed the penalty kick beyond the reach of the right post. Portugal dominated the court game on an icy Ullevaal, but struggled to make the most of the opportunities against a well-established Norwegian defence. – It has been a solid Norwegian game. Norway has let up a bit defensively and offensively we might want more, but Norway have been effective, Torp summarized after the first half. – Top world class And five minutes after the change of sides, effective Norway continued to wreak havoc. From close range, Portugal goalkeeper Ines Pereira saved the shot of Brighton attacker Elisabeth Terland, but had to return and Hegerberg easily strolled in for 3-0. HAT TRICK: Ada Hegerberg scored a hat trick in Friday’s match against Portugal. Photo: NTB – What a comeback after an injury layoff. She is a top world-class star striker. She has a unique ability to place herself, exclaimed news commentator Olav Traaen. She thus completed her first hat trick for the Norwegian national team since the 5-1 victory in April last year. Since then, she had only scored two goals in 11 international matches. So far this season, Norway has only won the private international match against Uruguay in February and the international match against the Philippines in the World Cup play-offs this summer, but on Friday the national team had few problems in securing their third victory of the season. – It is good to see a Norwegian women’s national team deliver when the pressure is greatest. That’s one of the things we’ve been calling for. An effective Norwegian team is something we can be happy about, says news’s football expert Carl-Erik Torp. Alone with Portugal goalkeeper Pereira, Frida Maanum was very close to making it 4-0, but Pereira held on with a masterful save. Pereira, on the other hand, could not prevent 4-0 in overtime when Sophie Roman Haug rose to the air and scored the last goal of the game. The Norwegian national team is steering towards the worst national team year since 1981, but with three very important points against Portugal, Norway is climbing because Portugal is in the group and stands with five points after five games. If Austria loses against group leaders France later on Friday evening, Norway can secure second place in the group with a win away to Austria on Tuesday.
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