Match context and result
Molde moved out of the relegation zone with a decisive 4-1 victory over Vålerenga at their home ground, lifting the hosts to 30 points and into 8th place. The win also narrows the gap to Vålerenga, who sit just a point above them, after a tense round of fixtures where HamKam and Bryne had won earlier in the day. The result continued Molde’s impressive run against Vålerenga in recent seasons and came under the direction of interim coach Magne Hoseth.
First-half narrative
The evening started with a setback for Molde as central defender Birk Risa pulled up with an injury after nine minutes and had to be replaced by Casper Øyvann. Despite the early disruption, Molde struck first when Eirik Hestad punished a defensive lapse and fired in from around 18 metres with his left foot, the ball taking a slight deflection off a Vålerenga defender on the way to the net.
Vålerenga answered in style just before halftime. Brice Ambina produced a spectacular strike from distance, unleashing a volley from 19-20 metres that arced into the top corner and brought the visitors level, a goal that briefly swung the momentum in Vålerenga’s favour.
As the half drew to a close, Molde produced a counter move that yielded a crucial goal. A rapid attack was finished by captain Magnus Wolff Eikrem from close range, after a buildup that originally involved Jalal Abdullai and saw Eikrem slip the ball home in the dying seconds of the first period. The home side went into the break level at 1-1, but their late push hinted at a stronger second-half showing.
Second half: Abdullai and Stenevik seal the win
Abdullai’s decisive moment
Early in the second half, Jalal Abdullai delivered the decisive moment Molde had sought. A long throw from keeper Jacob Karlstrøm found Abdullai in space, and the striker sprinted through to beat the keeper and restore Molde’s lead, making it 2-1. Karlstrøm’s distribution had been a catalyst for that move, with Abdullai’s pace and timing doing the rest to put Molde back in command.
Closing stages
Three minutes from time, Halldor Stenevik converted from the spot to put the match beyond doubt, completing a 4-1 win for Molde. The result underscored Molde’s attacking resilience and clinical finishing in the second period.
Player spotlight
18-year-old Oskar Spiten-Nysæter earned TV 2 viewers’ man of the match honors for his lively first-half contribution and involvement in the late drama that required a VAR review. Spiten-Nysæter’s performance highlighted Molde’s emerging young talent as part of a squad that looked sharper with each passing minutes under Hoseth.
Beyond the scorers, the trio of Hestad, Eikrem and Abdullai provided the spine of Molde’s performance, while Eikrem’s leadership and Abdullai’s all-action running elevated the home team in the second half. The blend of seasoned control from Eikrem and fresh energy from Abdullai helped Molde overturn a tight opening period.
What it means for Molde and the standings
With the victory, Molde climbed to 30 points, grabbing eighth place and closing the gap to Vålerenga to a single point. The result is a significant step in Molde’s bid to escape the perilous area near the relegation zone and build momentum as the season enters its decisive phase. Interim coach Magne Hoseth will hope this performance provides a platform for stability and continued improvement as Molde contest upcoming fixtures, buoyed by a more dynamic attacking unit and a solid defensive showing when needed.
In summary, Molde’s 4-1 win over Vålerenga delivered both relief and renewed belief for the squad and supporters, demonstrating that the club can compete with the league’s stronger sides while navigating a challenging campaign.
