ARSENAL – FC PORTO 1–0 (4-2 e. str):
40 minutes had been played in the match between Arsenal and Porto in the Champions League when Martin Ødegaard again showed his class.
The Norwegian received the ball outside the area, pulled away from a man with some great touches and played precisely through to Leandro Trossard. The Belgian made no mistake from an acute angle and sent the ball into the far corner behind Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Arsenal in the lead.
Although Trossard was last on the ball, it was Ødegaard who received most of the tributes after almost conjuring up a goal.
Alsaker: – Brilliant
TV 2 expert Brede Hangeland called it world class and was supported by commentator Øyvind Alsaker.
– It is so beautifully done. You said it, world class. A Porto team that is almost impossible to tip off balance. A brilliant pass by Arsenal’s captain was all it took, exclaimed the experienced TV 2 man.
– Hasn’t been given control like he often does in the Premier League, but think about picking up those things there, said Alsaker.
It wasn’t just the Norwegian commentators who got excited. In England, too, there is a rush for the piece of art.
– No player in the top five best leagues in Europe has created more chances from open play than Ødegaard this season. This was one of his best passes so far. One touch to create the angle, and one to find Trossard, writes Telegraph journalist Sam Dean.
No player in Europe’s big five leagues has created more chances from open play than Martin Odegaard this season. That was one of his best passes yet. One touch to create the angle, another to find Leandro Trossard.
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) March 12, 2024
His colleague, the journalist James Ducker, was at least as impressed.
– Some of the best we have seen this season there from Ødegaard. So good on all levels, he writes on X.
Piers Morgan: – Brilliant
David Cartlidge in ESPN hails the Norwegian midfielder as brilliant.
– Simply brilliant from Ødegaard. Beautiful, he writes about the prelude to scoring.
That’s genuine brilliance from Odegaard. Beautiful.
— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) March 12, 2024
The Independent journalist Miguel Delaney is also among those who jump on the bandwagon.
– What a good goal that was. Brilliant game by Ødegaard, he writes on X.
TV personality Piers Morgan is known for his Arsenal patriotism and he also got carried away.
– BOOM! Brilliant by Ødegaard, icy finish by Trossard, he writes on X about what happened just before the break.
BOOM! 1-0… brilliant by Odegaard, clinical finish by Trossard… 🚀🚀🚀
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 12, 2024
Arsenal into the quarter-finals
1-0 remained the same throughout the rest of the match and extra time. Thus, the whole thing had to be decided on penalties.
There it was Arsenal who drew the longest straw after both Wendell and Wenderson Galeno missed for the visitors.
This means that Martin Ødegaard and his team will play in the quarter-finals of the Champions League later this spring.