Jorgen Strand Larsen scored on an historic night for Norwegian football as they qualified for a first World Cup this millilumen with a stunning win over Italy at the San Siro.
While Strand Larsen and David Moller Wolfe were celebrating reaching next summer’s tournament in the North America, there was heartbreak for Tolu Arokodare, whose Nigeria side were beaten in the play-offs on penalties.
Emmanuel Agbadou, Jhon Arias and Hee Chan Hwang were also in action over the weekend, all starting in friendlies for their country, and wolves.co.uk is here to summarise another weekend of international football.
David Moller Wolfe & Jorgen Strand Larsen | Italy 1-4 Norway
Norway’s superior goal difference over Italy meant they travelled to Milan all but sure of their World Cup place, but they rubberstamped it in style with a comeback victory on Sunday evening. Moller Wolfe completed his record of starting every qualifier match, but Norway were tailing 1-0 at the break. However, the Norwegians stormed back to 3-1 after the interval and, having been subbed on after 89 minutes, Strand Larsen wrapped up the win with an impressive solo goal – his fourth for his country. Booked for taking his shirt off during wild scenes of celebration, Strand Larsen and Wolfe now have a World Cup to look forward to, with Norway last qualifying in 1998, before either were born.
Tolu Arokodare | Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo (3-4 on pens)
Unlike Norway, Nigeria will be missing from next summer’s festival of football after a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo on Sunday. Arokodare started on the bench and a goal apiece meant it was 1-1 at the break. The Wolves striker came off the bench with 13 minutes of the 90 remaining but failed to force a winner before being removed for the closing stages of extra time. As the final went to penalties, Congo prevailed, winning 4-3 to book their place at the World Cup.
Hee Chan Hwang | South Korea 2-0 Bolivia
Hwang and South Korea are already assured of their place at the World Cup once more and began this international period with a friendly win over Bolivia. The Wolves man started on the left and played 76 minutes, with Korea one up while he was on the pitch and adding a second late on. Their final fixture of 2025 comes against Ghana in Seoul on Tuesday.
Jhon Arias | Colombia 2-1 New Zealand
Colombia will also feature at the World Cup next season, and Arias will hope to be involved. They faced New Zealand in a friendly at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium, where Wolves took on RB Leipzig during pre-season in 2024. The attacker started on the right for Colombia, who led from the third minute and played 77 minutes before being withdrawn. New Zealand then equalised, only for Colombia to win it two minutes from time. Next up for them is a friendly meeting with Australia in New York.
Emmanuel Agbadou | Saudi Arabia 1-0 Ivory Coast
Also over the weekend Agbadou got 90 minutes under his belt as the Ivory Coast took on Saudi Arabia in a friendly. The Wolves man played left centre half in a back four, but he couldn’t prevent a narrow 1-0 defeat for his country. The minutes will prove useful for Agbadou, who will hope to add another cap to his tally against Oman on Tuesday.
Elsewhere
Both Jose Sa and Santiago Bueno were left out as their countries were in international action over the weekend. For Sa, he watched from the bench as Portugal hit Armenia for nine. The 9-1 win was Portugal’s final of qualification and they’re certain of a place at next summer’s World Cup. Meanwhile, Bueno’s Uruguay took on Mexico in a friendly in Torreon and were held to a goalless draw.
Coming up
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Haiti could qualify for the World Cup in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Should Haiti better Honduras’ result, they’ll qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1974. Haiti are at home to the group’s bottom side Nicaragua, while Honduras travel to Costa Rica. Agbadou’s Ivory Coast travel to Oman on Tuesday, while Arias and Colombia face Australia in the States on the same day. Hwang is also in action on Tuesday against Ghana in South Korea, while Bueno and Uruguay face the USA on Wednesday. Finally, Tawanda Chirewa and Zimbabwe take on Qatar on Monday.
