Norway teammates rally behind degaard after Iraq win: "We're all in this together"

Martin Ødegaard has been defended by his Norway teammates after criticism of his performance in Thursday’s 4-1 World Cup victory over Iraq in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Real Madrid captain, who was singled out for scrutiny following the Group A win, received public backing from squad colleagues on Friday as the national team prepared for its next fixture. “It’s just piss,” midfielder Martin Ødegaard told Norwegian broadcaster NRK , summarising the team’s collective stance. “We’re all in this together.”

The defence of Ødegaard came as Spain’s World Cup squad faced its own off-field embarrassment in Chattanooga. Forward Borja Iglesias was denied entry to the team hotel on Friday morning by a security guard who failed to recognise the Celta Vigo striker. “Are you a player?” the guard asked Iglesias, according to Spanish newspaper *El Mundo* . Despite pleas from teammates and onlookers, the guard maintained the barrier until Iglesias produced identification. The incident occurred hours after Spain’s 4-1 win over Japan, which followed Norway’s earlier victory over Iraq.

Norway’s fourth goal in that match also sparked a brief controversy. Striker Kristian Thorstvedt had publicly demanded recognition for his finish, but teammate Brynjar Thorstvedt—no relation—told NRK that the goal should be credited to the team. “I’m ashamed that Kristian went out so hard,” he said . The Norwegian Football Federation has yet to issue an official update on the goal attribution.

Spain, meanwhile, remains focused on its Group A campaign in Tennessee. The squad is scheduled to train later on Friday at their Chattanooga base, following the security lapse that overshadowed the buildup to the next match. Spanish media reported that several fans intervened to vouch for Iglesias’s identity, but the guard’s refusal stood until a teammate escorted him inside .

The contrasting narratives—team solidarity in Norway and logistical mishaps in Spain—highlight the pressures facing both sides as the World Cup group stage intensifies. Ødegaard’s teammates have closed ranks, while Spain’s organisational stumbles risk overshadowing their on-pitch progress. Both incidents underscore the scrutiny that accompanies elite tournament football, where every detail, from security protocols to goal celebrations, is magnified under global attention.