Norway vs Iceland Thriller: Gaupset Brace Seals 4-3 Win

Norway vs Iceland lit up the final night of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying Group A with a breath-taking 4-3 scoreline that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Norway vs Iceland: Gaupset Makes History in Oslo

Norway vs Iceland began at breakneck pace, and 18-year-old forward Signe Gaupset wasted no time etching her name into the record books. With just 11 minutes gone, she pounced on Frida Maanum’s clever reverse pass, whipping a curling effort beyond Icelandic goalkeeper Cecilia Fiskerstrand. That strike made Gaupset the youngest player ever to net at least twice in a Women’s Euro match, yet her evening was only getting started.

Five minutes before the break, the Molde prodigy doubled Norway’s advantage. This time she ghosted between the centre-backs to meet Vilde Bøe Risa’s whipped corner, powering home a bullet header that sent the Ullevaal Stadion into raptures. Norway vs Iceland had suddenly turned into the Gaupset show, and the hosts carried a 2-0 cushion into half-time.

Second-Half Fireworks Keep Norway vs Iceland on a Knife Edge

Iceland refused to fold. Coach Jón Þór Hauksson introduced Sveindís Jónsdóttir and Hildur Eiríksdóttir after the restart, and the substitutions injected fresh urgency. Still, it was Norway who struck next. On 57 minutes Gaupset turned provider, sliding an inch-perfect through-ball to Caroline Graham Hansen, who dinked a classy finish for 3-0.

Just as Norway vs Iceland looked settled, the visitors clawed one back. Guðrún Viggósdóttir rose highest from a corner on 65 minutes, glancing a header past Aurora Mikalsen to make it 3-1 and spark fresh belief among the travelling supporters.

Gaupset’s Second Assist Keeps Iceland at Arm’s Length

Norway restored their three-goal cushion on 72 minutes. Again, Gaupset’s vision unlocked the defence, slipping the ball wide for Julie Blakstad, whose driven cross ricocheted into the net off Iceland’s Sara Björt Gunnarsdóttir for an unfortunate own goal. At 4-1 with under 20 minutes left, Norway vs Iceland appeared put to bed.

Late Iceland Fightback Adds Drama

Credit to Iceland—they refused to accept defeat. On 84 minutes, Jónsdóttir drilled a low shot into the corner after a neat one-two with Dagný Brynjarsdóttir, trimming the deficit to 4-2. Three minutes later Kristín Dís Þorsteinsdóttir bundled home from close range to make it 4-3, transforming Norway vs Iceland into a pulsating spectacle.

The closing stages were frenetic. Norway sat deep, repelling wave after wave of Icelandic pressure. Mikalsen produced a fingertip save to deny Jónsdóttir in stoppage time, and a last-gasp free-kick from Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir flashed inches wide. When the full-time whistle finally sounded, relief washed over the Norwegian bench as they sealed top spot in the group.

What the Result Means for Euro 2025

Norway vs Iceland concluded Group A with Norway on 13 points, setting up a quarter-final clash against the runner-up in Group B—currently France or Spain. Coach Gemma Grainger praised her young star: “Signe showed maturity beyond her years; she was decisive in all four goals. Performances like this win tournaments.”

For Iceland, elimination stings, yet Hauksson preferred to highlight the positives: “Our late fightback shows the spirit of this group. We are building something special.” Expect many of tonight’s protagonists to return when the Women’s Euro 2025 finals kick off in Germany next summer.

Signe Gaupset: A Star Is Born

The spotlight rightly falls on Gaupset. Beyond her two goals and two assists, she completed 92% of her passes, won six duels, and covered nearly 11 kilometres. Scouts from leading European clubs were reportedly in attendance, and her €1 million price tag may soon look like a bargain.

Norway vs Iceland will be remembered as the night she transitioned from prodigy to match-winner on the continental stage. With Ada Hegerberg recovering from injury, Norway may have found the perfect heir apparent.

Tactical Breakdown

• Norway pressed high in a 4-2-3-1, with Maanum and Risa dictating tempo.
• Iceland’s initial 4-4-2 lacked width; switching to 3-5-2 after the break enabled overloads down the flanks.
• Key stat: Norway vs Iceland featured 32 shots, the highest of any group match so far.

Player Ratings

Norway: Gaupset 9.5, Graham Hansen 8, Maanum 7.5, Mikalsen 7, Risa 7.
Iceland: Jónsdóttir 8, Viggósdóttir 7, Þorsteinsdóttir 7, Fiskerstrand 6.5.

Short Opinion

Norway vs Iceland delivered everything a neutral could wish for: goals, drama, and a breakout star. In an era where tactical rigidity sometimes dulls entertainment, both coaches let their players express themselves, and the result was electrifying. If this is a glimpse of what Women’s Euro 2025 will offer, the tournament can’t come soon enough.