Viking back on winning track after dream goal seals victory against Sandefjord

Viking returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sandefjord at home, thanks to a spectacular late goal from substitute Edvin Austbø.

The match saw Viking take an early lead in the seventh minute when Zlatko Tripic converted a penalty, awarded after Kristoffer Askildsen was fouled in the box and confirmed by VAR. Viking dominated the early stages, with Niklas Fuglestad, Simen Kvia-Egeskog, and Tripic all creating chances. Sandefjord gradually found their footing, and their best opportunity before halftime came from Nikolaj Möller, whose shot was saved by Viking goalkeeper Lubomir Belko.

Tempers flared before the break, resulting in yellow cards for Kristoffer Askildsen and Marcus Melchior, as well as Viking assistant coach Stig Vik Nedrebø for dissent. After halftime, Sandefjord found an equalizer through Evangelos Patoulidis, who placed the ball into the near corner following a corner kick.

Just as it seemed Viking might drop points at home for the first time this season, Edvin Austbø stepped up ten minutes from time. The substitute collected the ball outside the penalty area, weaved past defenders, and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the far corner to secure all three points. This victory keeps Viking's perfect home record intact and moves them to second place in the Eliteserien, one point behind leaders Tromsø, with three games in hand. Sandefjord remains in 11th place.