Norway delivered a confident 3-1 victory over Sweden in Oslo, even without Erling Haaland. The World Cup warm-up saw Norway dominate both the scoreline and the statistics, with 22 shots and 2.42 expected goals, compared with Sweden’s nine efforts and 0.49 xG.
With Haaland and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard rested ahead of the United States trip, other Norway players stepped forward. Jorgen Strand Larsen used the chance best, scoring twice, while Julian Ryerson produced an influential display from right-back, driving much of Norway’s attacking play.
Ryerson’s impact stretched across the pitch, as the Borussia Dortmund defender supplied two assists and created eight chances. That creative total exceeded the combined seven chances fashioned by all
Sweden players. Ryerson’s performance continued a trend after leading all defenders in Europe’s top five leagues with 18 assists in 2025-26.
The opening stages underlined Norway’s sharpness, as the hosts moved ahead in the ninth minute. Ryerson curled in a cross from the right, and Strand Larsen met it with a glancing header. The ball dropped inside the far corner, giving goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom no chance.
Norway quickly extended the advantage nine minutes later through Antonio Nusa. The RB Leipzig forward collected the ball on the left side of the area, then drove a fierce shot across goal. The strike flew past Zetterstrom, leaving Sweden two goals down before the 20-minute mark.
The home side added a third in the 37th minute, again from a Ryerson delivery. This time the defender swung in a corner, and Strand Larsen timed the run well. The Crystal Palace striker beat Zetterstrom to the ball and headed in from close range for 3-0.
Norway thought a fourth goal had arrived shortly after the hour, when David Moller Wolfe finished at the back post. Ryerson supplied the low cross, which would have been a third assist. However, the assistant’s flag ruled Moller Wolfe offside, and the goal was disallowed.
Both head coaches then used the friendly to test depth, as Stale Solbakken and Graham Potter made several substitutions. Among Sweden’s changes, Alexander Isak entered and offered immediate quality, later scoring with a dipping shot from distance in the 76th minute to reduce the deficit.
Sweden did put the ball in the net again through Sebastian Nanasi, who directed a precise header past Norway’s goalkeeper. That effort was also ruled offside, leaving the final score at 3-1. Sweden now meet Greece in Stockholm on Thursday, then face Tunisia on 14 June at the World Cup.
Norway’s preparation continues with a friendly against Morocco in New Jersey on Sunday, ahead of Group I games against Iraq, Senegal and France. The display against Sweden suggested depth beyond Haaland and Odegaard, with Strand Larsen and Ryerson offering Solbakken valuable attacking options.
