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Martin Ødegaard criticized Bernardo Silva for a late tackle during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo, calling the challenge “insensata” (senseless) and stating it “has no place on a football field.” The confrontation occurred in stoppage time of the Group A4 fixture in the UEFA Nations League, leaving the Norway captain limping and missing an apology from the Portugal midfielder.
Post-Match Criticism From Martin Ødegaard
The incident took place in the closing moments of the match as Portugal worked to protect a narrow 2-1 lead. Bernardo Silva, who entered the pitch as a late substitute, caught Ødegaard with a harsh challenge on the ankle long after the ball had gone.
“I took a hit on the ankle. It probably won’t feel good tonight, but I hope it gets better in the next few days,” Ødegaard told Norwegian broadcaster TV2. “It was a senseless attitude on his part. He just knocked me down a long time after I had passed the ball. I don’t understand what he is doing.”
When questioned about an exchange of words between the two players immediately following the foul, Ødegaard declined to share specifics. “What did I say to him? I don’t think we should talk about that on television,” he noted. Pressed on whether the clash stemmed from his past with Arsenal and Silva’s history with Manchester City, Ødegaard responded, “You have to ask him. I don’t know what he’s doing. This has no place on a football field. It’s a shame people act like that, but that’s life.” He confirmed that the Real Madrid player did not apologize.
Reaction From Teammates and Opponents
Other players on the pitch weighed in on the stoppage-time challenge. Norway teammate Patrick Berg expressed clear frustration with the sequence.
“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.
Antonio Schjelderup, a winger for Benfica who featured in the match, acknowledged the severity of the foul while noting the difficulties faced by officials. “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.
Meanwhile, Portugal forward Gonçalo Ramos downplayed the altercation when speaking to reporters. “It’s the kind of thing that happens in every game. It’s part of the game,” Ramos explained. Television cameras later caught Ødegaard visibly limping as he left the pitch.
Match Context: The fixture marked the second matchday of Group A4 in the UEFA Nations League, ending in a 2-1 victory for Portugal away in Oslo.
Martin Ødegaard criticizes Bernardo Silva tackle after Norway loss to Portugal
Who played in the UEFA Nations League Group A4 match?
Portugal faced Norway in Oslo during the second matchday of Group A4, with Portugal securing a 2-1 win.
What did Martin Ødegaard say about Bernardo Silva’s tackle?
Ødegaard told TV2 that the challenge was “senseless” and occurred long after he had passed the ball, adding that it had no place on a football field.
Did Bernardo Silva apologize to Martin Ødegaard?
No, Ødegaard confirmed after the match that the Portuguese midfielder did not offer an apology.
How did other players react to the incident?
Patrick Berg called the tackle ugly and deliberate, Antonio Schjelderup labeled it an ugly late tackle that escaped the referee’s view, and Gonçalo Ramos described it as a normal occurrence in football.
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