‘Awkward’: Martin Odegaard on his clash with Neymar

Martin Odegaard clashed with Neymar during Norway’s World Cup win over Brazil on Sunday, but the pair appeared to make up afterwards.

As Norway looked to see out a lead over Brazil in their last-16 World Cup clash, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard clashed with Neymar following a tackle by the Brazilian winger.

Neymar shoved Odegaard hard after the ball was gone, and the Arsenal man did well not to react, likely knowing the implications of a silly yellow (or indeed red) card at a World Cup tournament.

It only takes two bookings to earn yourself a suspension, and Norway don’t have their Prime Minister whispering in Gianni Infantino’s ear to get such a ban overturned.

Neymar then clashed with Odegaard again after converting a late penalty, deliberately barging into the Norway captain as he ran past him. But the two then appeared to make up at full-time, with Neymar seemingly apologising.

Speaking to the Norwegian media, Odegaard admitted it was all a bit uncomfortable for him.

“Yes, it got a little awkward,” Odegaard said. “But there was a good atmosphere afterwards. So it ended well.”

It’s no real surprise to see emotions running high at the World Cup, though quite why you’d want to take your frustrations out on Odegaard is a little unclear. The Norway and Arsenal captain is rarely someone to provoke the opposition, other than just by playing football.

Whatever the reasons why Neymar took such an issue with Odegaard, as the player himself says, it all ended well.

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