Oslo’s Nations League night ended with Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway, but Martin Ødegaard left the stadium angered by a stoppage-time challenge from Bernardo Silva that left the Norwegian captain limping towards the team bus.
The two players, familiar adversaries from years in English football, clashed late in the match when Ødegaard sent a left-footed pass forward from inside his own half. As the Arsenal midfielder’s left foot trailed after the pass, Silva arrived from behind and failed to reach the ball, catching the back of Ødegaard’s foot with his right boot.
The referee showed Silva a yellow card, yet Ødegaard believed the incident went beyond a routine foul. Television pictures showed Norway’s captain repeatedly shouting an English insult at his Portuguese opponent after the challenge.
More than an hour after the final whistle, Ødegaard was still visibly affected as he made his way to Norway’s bus.
“There is no place for that on a football pitch,” Ødegaard said.
A familiar rivalry moves to Lisbon
Silva, now 32, spent nine seasons at Manchester City before joining Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. His confrontation with Ødegaard adds another layer to a rivalry shaped by their Premier League years, even as their club paths have now separated across Europe.
Asked about the foul by Norwegian reporters, Silva initially responded: “What tackle?”
He later dismissed the controversy with a brief response: “It’s football, mate.”
Norway and Portugal could meet again quickly, with the return fixture in their Nations League group scheduled for Lisbon on Sunday. Ødegaard’s condition after the blow to his ankle will be closely watched before Norway travel south.
