Thelo Aasgaard delivered a sensational performance for Norway, scoring four goals off the bench including a rapid 11-minute hat-trick in their 11-1 demolition of Moldova. His explosive display comes after following his national team coach’s advice to leave Luton Town, which had been relegated to League One, and join a club like Rangers. That move now appears to be paying off, with Aasgaard thriving on the international stage.
The midfielder’s electric cameo was complemented by five goals from Erling Haaland, who helped spotlight Aasgaard’s brilliance to the home fans in Oslo. Norway boss Ståle Solbakken, who had previously urged Aasgaard to find a club better suited to his talent, was clearly vindicated. “He’s a versatile midfielder with quality on both ends of the pitch,” Solbakken praised.
Rangers manager Russell Martin will now be hoping Aasgaard can translate that international form into domestic success, especially after his high-energy performance in the recent clash with Celtic. Veteran Norwegian journalist Ernst A. Lersveen was in awe, writing: “A rookie named Thelo Aasgaard appears and scores four goals! You might wonder where he plays? Glasgow Rangers. Ødegaard and Haaland aren’t alone this team is full of creativity. It’s actually quite un-Norwegian.”
Despite the big halftime lead, Solbakken wasn’t satisfied, delivering a heated team talk that caught even Kristoffer Ajer off guard. “I had to check the scoreboard I thought we were losing,” said the former Celtic defender.
With five straight wins, Norway is now a strong favorite to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998, and their first major tournament in over two decades.
