Aalesunds FK beat IK Start 2-0 in the Eliteserien, settling the contest with two goals in four first-half minutes. Elias Kristoffersen Hagen opened the scoring in the 20th minute, and Mathias Christensen added a second in the 24th with Sander Erik Kartum providing the assist. IK Start saw plenty of the ball but could not recover.
The match turned just before the half-hour mark after a cautious opening that saw Cheick Mbacke Diop booked in the 15th minute and Ólafur Guðmundsson in the 29th. Hagen's opener was followed quickly by Christensen's finish, giving Aalesunds a comfortable cushion to protect. Deni Dashaev's late booking in the 84th minute was the only notable flashpoint thereafter.
IK Start had more possession at 54% and fired off 24 shots to Aalesunds' 22, but Aalesunds were far more accurate, putting 11 shots on target to Start's six. Start's goalkeeper made ten saves, while Aalesunds' goalkeeper made five. The numbers show Start pushed hard, yet Aalesunds took their chances when they mattered.
