Molde Climb Out of Relegation Danger With Win Over Vålerenga
Molde FK moved clear of the relegation zone with a convincing 4-1 victory over Vålerenga in an Eliteserien clash, a result that lifted them to 30 points in eighth place and just one point behind Vålerenga for the spot above. Under interim boss Magne Hoseth, the home side showed resilience and attacking intent from the first whistle, ending a period of pressure at the bottom of the table.
The results elsewhere had kept the pressure on Molde, who entered the evening three points adrift of safety. Their performance, however, spoke to a team that believes in a late-season revival and is starting to click under new leadership.
Key moments that defined the night
Early setback, quick response
Molde suffered an early scare when central defender Birk Risa left the field injured after nine minutes and was replaced by Casper Øyvann. The setback did not derail their plans, though, as Eirik Hestad struck with a left-footed drive from around 18 meters after Mats Møller Dæhli picked him out, sending the ball into the net off a slight deflection from a Vålerenga defender.
The home side were ahead for a short spell until Vålerenga drew level in the 36th minute thanks to a moment of magic from Brice Ambina. The winger/chance creator produced a remarkable volley from distance with the outside of his foot, lifting the ball past Molde goalkeeper Jacob Karlstrøm into the top corner for a superb equaliser.
Late first-half momentum and a clinical second half
Into stoppage time of the first half, Molde produced a counter-attacking sequence that ended with captain Magnus Wolff Eikrem scoring from close range after a dangerous foray by Jalal Abdullai. It was the kind of goal that underscored Molde’s intent to push forward and regain control before the break, and Eikrem understandably shared the glory with Abdullai for his part in the build-up.
Three minutes into the second half, Abdullai added a third for Molde in typical fashion—gliding onto a long ball after a goal kick and finishing calmly past the goalkeeper. Although the assist was officially attributed to the keeper’s distribution into the middle, Abdullai’s pace and timing were decisive in creating the chance that put Molde firmly in the driving seat.
Stenevik ends the night with a final flourish
Halldor Stenevik wrapped things up with a late penalty, converting with three minutes to play to seal a 4-1 result and cap a strong display from the home side. The result not only boosted Molde’s mood but also their prospects for the rest of the campaign, as they pursued a stable footing in the top flight and a potential climb up the table.
Player performances, honors and what it means moving forward
In addition to the team’s victory, 18-year-old Oskar Spiten-Nysæter was voted man of the match by TV 2 viewers. The breakthrough youngster delivered a lively performance on the right wing and was involved in the lead-up play that culminated in a dominant Molde win. Spiten-Nysæter’s display, despite being part of a heated moment late in the game that VAR reviewed, earned him the recognition and showed Molde’s depth in attacking options.
For interim coach Magne Hoseth, the win represents a crucial step in stabilizing the team’s season. His approach appears to have brought a renewed belief and a sharper defensive shape, allowing Molde to exploit counter-attacks and capitalize on set-piece opportunities when Vålerenga pressed high. For the fans, the 4-1 scoreline offers a much-needed cushion as Molde gaze upwards rather than over their shoulders in the table, with a full round of fixtures still to come.
With the victory, Molde sit on 30 points, eight place on the Eliteserien ladder, and closed the gap to Vålerenga to a single point above them. The margin is tight, but the mood around the club is markedly different from the opening stages of the campaign, when relegation fears loomed large. If Hoseth can continue this momentum and his players stay focused, Molde’s season may yet unfold into a much more positive narrative.
