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Martin Ødegaard criticized Bernardo Silva for a late tackle during Norway’s match against Portugal, stating that the challenge had no place in football after limping away from the field. The confrontation occurred in stoppage time as Portugal sought to protect a 2-1 victory.
Post-Match Criticism Over Stoppage-Time Challenge
The incident took place during the closing moments of the fixture when Portugal deployed Bernardo Silva off the bench to help secure the result. Silva lunged into a heavy challenge on Norway captain Martin Ødegaard, drawing immediate ire from the Arsenal midfielder and several of his teammates.
Speaking to broadcaster TV2 after the match, Ødegaard detailed the extent of the contact. «I took a knock to the ankle. It probably won’t feel great tonight, but I hope it gets better in the next few days,» Ødegaard said. «It was a senseless attitude from him. He just brought me down a long time after I had passed the ball. I don’t understand what he’s doing.»
Following the whistle, the two players exchanged words on the pitch. When asked about the conversation, Ødegaard declined to disclose specifics on television. Addressing whether the clash stemmed from past rivalries involving Manchester City and Arsenal, the midfielder added, «You have to ask him. I don’t know what he’s doing. This has no place on a football pitch. It’s a pity people act like this, but life is life.» Ødegaard also confirmed that the Real Madrid player—referring to Silva’s history or opponents—did not offer an apology.
Teammate Reactions on the Field
Norwegian midfielder Patrick Berg joined his captain in condemning the tackle, describing the sequence as deliberate and unnecessary. «It’s ugly. It’s a deliberate tackle where he simply kicks him. Completely unnecessary. It’s very annoying, it looked like Martín was in quite a bit of pain,» Berg said.
Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup also weighed in on the late challenge, noting the severity of the foul while acknowledging the fast pace of the game. «It’s part of the game. It’s an ugly late tackle. It’s a bit exaggerated, but unfortunately, the referees can’t see everything,» Schjelderup stated.
Conversely, Portugal forward Gonçalo Ramos downplayed the incident when speaking to reporters. «It is the kind of thing that happens in every game. It is part of the game,» Ramos explained.
Player Condition and Physical Toll
Television cameras captured Ødegaard visibly limping as he exited the pitch after the final whistle. With international fixtures concluding and domestic club competitions resuming shortly, national team and club medical staff will evaluate the midfielder’s ankle in the coming days to determine recovery timelines.
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