Martin Odegaard criticised Bernardo Silva for a challenge that "doesn't belong on a football field" and left the Arsenal captain fearing an ankle injury. Norway were beaten 2-1 by Portugal on Sunday night in the Nations League, with Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos scoring either side of an Erling Haaland equaliser in Oslo.
Stoppage-time clash
It was not the result but an incident in stoppage time that left Odegaard most furious. As Odegaard passed the ball, Silva came in late and kicked the midfielder from behind. Odegaard's right ankle twisted awkwardly under him.
The Arsenal star was able to play the final few minutes of the match and he confronted Silva on the halfway line, squaring up to him and repeatedly appearing to shout: "F**k you." Odegaard was later seen limping out of the stadium, having first taken aim at former Manchester City midfielder Silva, who now plays for Real Madrid.
Odegaard's reaction
"You have to ask him," Odegaard told TV2 of the tackle. "I don't know what he's doing. It doesn't belong on a football field. It's a shame that people do that, but that's life."
"It's a head fog from him. [He] just kicks me down long after I've played the ball away. I don't understand what he's doing." Asked what he had told Silva, Odegaard added: "I don't think we should do that on TV."
Fitness assessment
Odegaard is set to be assessed ahead of Norway's next fixture, away to Wales on Thursday night. Norway then travel to face Portugal again on Sunday and Odegaard is hopeful that he will not have to withdraw from the squad for those matches.
"I hope not, but I got a knock on my ankle there," Odegaard said. "So it probably won't be good tonight." Norwegian media tried to speak to Silva after the match but he did not stop. However, as journalists shouted out to him about the challenge, Silva responded: "What? That is football, my friend."
Arsenal will be hoping for positive news on Odegaard's ankle. Mikel Arteta has already seen Kai Havertz return early from Germany duty with a hamstring injury, while Declan Rice pulled out of the England squad at the start of the international break.
