Norway coach Stale Solbakken offered sympathy to his Moldovan counterpart after his side thrashed the visitors 11-1 in a World Cup qualifier on Monday that left them top of Group I.

The Norwegians displayed their ruthlessness in front of a jubilant home crowd, knowing goal difference could prove decisive in the race for qualification from a group that also includes four-times world champions Italy.

The result left Norway six points clear of second-placed Italy, who have a game in hand, while Moldova remain rooted to the bottom without a point from five matches.

It was only the third time in Norway’s history that they had scored 11 or more goals in a match, the last instance being an 11-0 win over the United States in 1948. For Moldova, it marked their heaviest ever defeat.

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