Spain vs Norway: Man City’s Rodri accused of trying to injure Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard

Manchester City’s mid-fielder Rodri’s strong challenge against Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard during the Euro 2024 qualifying game between Spain and Norway caused outrage among Arsenal supporters, who accused the City mid-fielder of trying to injure the playmaker on purpose.
Norway’s Odegaard in Spain’s penalty box looked to shoot the ball and test Spain Goalkeeper Kepa Arizabalaga. However, Rodri flew in with a rash challenge after which Odegaard was left on the ground clutching his ankle. He managed to get back on his feet again later.
Arsenal and Manchester City are competing for the Premiere League title. Arsenal is at the top of the table with 69 points, whereas City is eight points behind them. The Arsenal fans felt that it was a deliberate tactic Rodri to injure Odegaard which would have been a huge blow for the gunners. The Norwegian has been pivotal in Arsenal’s success on the field this season.

Nevertheless, his performance was not good enough to take points from Spain on Saturday. Substitute Joselu stuck a brace on his debut to help Spain beat Norway 3-0. The hosts took an early lead courtesy of Dani Olmo. Norway tried to respond two minutes later when Martin Odegaard’s strike was blocked Nacho, who returned to the Spain team after a nearly five-year absence.

Norway could have levelled just before the half-hour mark with a powerful first-time shot Fredrik Aursnes but Spain keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, returning for his first cap since October 2020, showed quick reflexes to parry the ball. However, not until late in the game when New Castle’s striker made an appearance from the bench and struck the brace the nerves were settled as the lead was slender till that point.