Match Report

Loan pair on target in World Cup qualifying

 

  • Martin Samuelsen got on the Norway scoresheet for the first time against San Marino on Tuesday
  • Meanwhile Enner Valencia grabbed a brace for Ecuador against Bolivia in South American qualifying
  • There was also international action for Winston Reid, who played in his New Zealand side's 1-1 draw with the USA

Hammers winger Martin Samuelsen scored his first international goal at senior level on Tuesday, finding the back of the net in his Norway side’s 4-1 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory over San Marino.
 
The 19-year-old, who is currently on loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers, bagged the hosts’ third strike on just his third cap, cutting into the box on the right hand side and firing low under the keeper following a clever dummy.
 
Norway had previously been struggling against their minnow opponents, who equalised nine minutes into the second period after Norway had previously taken an eleven minute lead through an own goal.
 
Incredibly, it was the visitors’ first away World Cup qualifying goal for 15 years, but Norway were sure to spoil the party, getting back in front through Hull City forward Adama Diomande.
 
Bournemouth attacker Joshua King – a former player of Samuelsen’s Rovers – rounded off the scoring with seven minutes remaining.

 

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The victory was Norway’s first in Group C following defeats to Germany and Azerbaijan previously.
 
Also in scoring action during World Cup qualifying was Ecuador forward Enner Valencia who is currently on loan at Everton.
 
Taking on Bolivia away from home in the South American Group, the visitors were two behind by 43 minutes thanks to goals from Pablo Escobar.
 
Just two minutes into the second half, Valencia halved the deficit, smashing home from six yards out to give the Yellows hope, and one minute from time, they were level.
 
Following a defensive mix-up on the right hand side of the box, the ball broke to Valencia who fired in at pace on the swivel to give Ecuador a point and keep them in the automatic qualifying spots in the Group.
 
Meanwhile, Winston Reid played 74 minutes for New Zealand as they took on the USA in Washington in an international friendly.

Bayern Munich's Julian Green gave the hosts the lead in the first period, but Monty Patterson, who plays for Ipswich Town, equalised with 18 minutes left on the clock.

Elsewhere, there was friendly defeat for Doneil Henry’s Canada as they were beaten 4-0 by Morocco, however the defender did not feature.