Martin Ødegaard’s World Cup ends in heartbreak, but with an Arsenal tournament record
Mark Strijbosch
The Viking Row is halted; Norway are packing their oars, drums and bags. While the world is reacting to England’s win, a thought goes to Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard… who was one of the standout players for his nation, breaking an Arsenal tournament record. He was one of the summer’s finest creators, bringing Norway forward with precision and leadership.
His pass for Andreas Schjelderup’s opener against England was Ødegaard’s fourth assist of the competition, taking him beyond Dennis Bergkamp’s Arsenal record of three at the 1998 World Cup. Bukayo Saka, still alive in the tournament with England, remains the only player capable of catching him.
The assist was vintage Ødegaard. Receiving possession between England’s midfield and defence, he waited for the run, opened his body and threaded the ball into Schjelderup’s path. The finish flew into the top corner and, briefly, Norway were dreaming of a first World Cup semi-final. Was it a fluke goal? Maybe! But Norway didn’t mind a slice of luck!
England eventually turned the tie through Jude Bellingham, who equalised before half-time and struck again in extra time to seal a 2-1 victory. Ødegaard continued searching for openings until the final whistle, creating chances and dragging Norway forward even as the spaces disappeared.
That final assist completed his remarkable tournament.
His first assist this summer arrived from a corner in Norway’s 4-1 opening victory over Iraq. Against Senegal, he drove through midfield before releasing Erling Haaland during a rapid counterattack. He then supplied Antonio Nusa for the opener in the 2-1 Round-of-32 win over Ivory Coast, becoming only the third player on record to assist in each of his first three World Cup appearances.
Still these numbers only tell part of the story.
Ødegaard’s Brazil Masterclass
Ødegaard became Norway’s organiser, pressure valve and chief creator. In the famous victory over Brazil, he completed 101 passes, almost three times as many as any Brazilian player, while repeatedly breaking lines and controlling the tempo. Before the England game, he led Norway for carries, passes into the final third, successful passes in the opposition half and defensive line-breaking passes.
Haaland supplied the goals and physical threat, but Ødegaard gave Norway direction. He knew when to accelerate, when to slow the match and when to attempt the pass others could not see.
Norway leave the World Cup in the quarter-finals. Ødegaard leaves with four assists, an Arsenal record and a tournament that finally placed his international quality under the brightest possible lights.
In many ways, Norway gave us the tournament’s most memorable moments. That win against Brazil, and the iconic "Hu, Hu, Hu" as they row together, in the streets and stands… this World Cup needed a Norwegian spark!
