Pro Sports

Latvia holds Norway to goalless draw in World Cup qualifying

Posted November 13, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Norway's Martin Odegaard reacts, during the World Cup 2022 qualifying soccer match between Norway and Latvia at Ullevaal Stadium, in Oslo, Norway, Saturday Nov. 13, 2021. (Terje Pedersen/NTB via AP) The Associated Press

OSLO, Norway (AP) - Latvia held Norway to a 0-0 draw in World Cup qualifying, giving the Netherlands a chance to win Group G if Louis van Gaal's team beats Montenegro later Saturday.

Southampton forward Mohamed Elyounoussi thought he had finally broken down the stubborn Latvian defense with a late effort, but the goal was disallowed for offside by VAR.

Norway was playing without injured striker Erling Haaland at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.

The Netherlands hosts Norway on Tuesday, but if the Dutch beat Montenegro they already will have sealed qualification for the 2022 Qatar World Cup before the match in Rotterdam. It would be the first World Cup for the Dutch since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil - also with Van Gaal as coach.

Turkey leapfrogged Norway into second place on goal difference by beating Gibraltar 6-0 in Istanbul. Turkey plays Montenegro on Tuesday in Podgorica.

Kerem Akturkoglu opened the scoring in the 11th minute and Dervisoglu scored twice inside four minutes to make it 3-0 at halftime. Demiral, Dursun and Mert Muldur completed the scoring after the break.

The second-place team goes into a 12-team playoff that includes runners-up in the 10 groups plus two group winners from the UEFA Nations League.

Host Qatar, Germany, Denmark and Brazil have already qualified for the World Cup next year.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Norway's Martin Odegaard reacts, during the World Cup 2022 qualifying soccer match between Norway and Latvia at Ullevaal Stadium, in Oslo, Norway, Saturday Nov. 13, 2021. (Stian Lysberg Solum/NTB via AP) The Associated Press

Norway's Mohamed Elyounoussi scores a goal that was disallowed for being offside, during the World Cup 2022 qualifying soccer match between Norway and Latvia at Ullevaal Stadium, in Oslo, Norway, Saturday Nov. 13, 2021. (Stian Lysberg Solum/NTB via AP) The Associated Press

Latvia's coach Dainis Kazakevicswalks on the sidelines, during the World Cup 2022 qualifying soccer match between Norway and Latvia at Ullevaal Stadium, in Oslo, Norway, Saturday Nov. 13, 2021. (Hakon Mosvold Larsen/NTB via AP) The Associated Press

Latvia's goalkeeper Roberts Ozols, left, speaks with teammate Antonijs Cernomordijs, during the World Cup 2022 qualifying soccer match between Norway and Latvia at Ullevaal Stadium, in Oslo, Norway, Saturday Nov. 13, 2021. (Terje Pedersen/NTB via AP) The Associated Press

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