Norway 0-0 Switzerland: Haaland quiet on return in goalless friendly

Erling Haaland’s return was not enough to inspire Norway as they played out a 0-0 friendly draw with Switzerland in Oslo on Tuesday.

Haaland was back in Stale Solbakken’s starting lineup after being rested for a 2-1 friendly defeat to the Netherlands last Friday, playing 63 minutes as they were held goalless for the first time in any match since September 2024.

Norway did not create a single chance of note in the first half, failing to register a shot on target and only putting up an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.1.

Switzerland’s attackers were also quiet for the most part, though Breel Embolo misjudged a header after staying onside from a long punt forward and Ruben Vargas sent a 20-yard strike whistling just over the crossbar.

Haaland almost got in behind on a couple of occasions early in the second half, but Norway’s first big chance came after he had been replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen, as Alexander Soloth headed Julian Ryerson’s pinpoint delivery over from six yards out.

Another header – from Strand Larsen – sailed over for Norway, while Switzerland’s Eray Comert was caught offside when he attempted to meet Vincent Sierro’s flick-on late on.

Data Debrief: Norway’s scoring streak ends

Given Switzerland finished on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller against Germany last week, while Norway scored 37 goals in eight games in World Cup qualifying, those in attendance at Ullevaal Stadion were entitled to expect goalmouth action.

Instead, they saw Norway fail to score for the first time since a goalless Nations League draw with Kazakhstan on September 6, 2024, 17 matches ago.

The teams combined for a mere 1.21 xG, with Norway putting up 0.51 and Switzerland tallying 0.7, with just one shot on target being recorded at either end. Both sides will have to offer more if they are to live up to expectations as potential dark horses at the World Cup.