A rather weak Malta side proved to be no match for a superior Norwegian side who could cruise home to a comfortable 3-0 win yesterday.
It was a deserved victory for the visitors who took just 21 minutes to open their account and then controlled comfortably till the very end.
Norway lived in a different street and apart from dominating for most of the time, they never allowed the Maltese to get close to Nyland.
To be fair, the Maltese tried to play the ball along the grass when they were in possession but these were just a few efforts which were totally ineffective.
Malta was weak at the back, especially on the right flank, where the young Zach Muscat faced Norway's two most productive and dangerous players - Joshua King and Mats Daehli. These two pierced the Malta rearguard at will whenever they had the ball at their feet and both provided a constant threat to the Malta defence. It was evident that the team missed the absence of the suspended Steve Borg and the injured Jonathan Caruana.
King certainly deserved the applause from all those present when he was substituted 15 minutes from the end.
The two sides were looking for their first points in the competition, having lost by a similar scoreline of 2-0 - Malta away against Croatia and Norway at home against Italy.
Ghedin opted for a 4-4-1-1 formation with Zach Muscat, A. Agius, R. Camilleri and C. Failla the back four, R. Briffa, P. Fenech, R. Muscat and R. Fenech in midfield. Schembri was an advanced midfielder right behind Michael Mifsud who was the lonely striker.
Ghedin knew beforehand that it would be a difficult match and it was evident that the Maltese adopted a prudent attitude. Their resistance, however, lasted only 21 minutes and after that, Norway were in total control of the situation.
Having scored their third goal early in the second half, I expected a complete onslaught by Norway but the Maltese, somehow, managed to avoid further goals till the end.
Already in the third minute, here was an indication of what was to come later as Norway threatened in their first incursion. After a solo move by Daehli, it was King who concluded at goal, but Hogg excellent turned the ball away.
Malta's reply arrived in the 16th minute. Schembri crossed from the right after receiving the ball from Briffa, but Failla shot well over the bar.
Norway, however, maintained the initiative and eventually opened the scoring on the 21st minute. It was a beautifully executed goal with King moving across the edge of the area and then setting the completely unmarked Daehli who beat Hogg with a low shot to the right corner.
Four minutes later, it was 2-0. In a fast counter-attack, it was King who entered the Malta area, went round Zach Muscat and beat the helpless Hogg.
In the 31st minute it would have been three, but a flick from Elyounoussi off a King low cross, was rightly ruled offside on the flagging of the assistant on the far side.
On the 40th minute, Failla had another effort from long distance, but it was easy prey for Nyland. And moments later, it was Mifsud who tested the Norwegian goalie, but the latter saved effortlessly.
Just before the interval, Malta earned a freekick 20 metres from goal after Mifsud was floored but specialist Failla's shot was blocked by the Norway barrier.
Norway opened the second half on attack and Elyounoussi went close with a fine effort off a Skjelbred cross.
The third goal appeared to be in the offing and it arrived in the 49th minute. A fine move between Daehli and Elyounoussi ended with the latter's cross being headed into the net by a superb Joshua King.
Malta failed to offer a serious reaction and the only effort came through a Mifsud shot from about 25 metres which went well over the bar.
Hogg was then called into action thwarting a dangerous incursion by Elyounoussi and the Malta goalie was again a protagonist in the 64th minute saving a good effort from Daehli.
Near the end, off a cross by Elabdellaoui, it was Zach Muscat who anticipated substitute Nielsen to avoid another goal.
There is obviously no doubt that Ghedin's boys will have to produce better form against Italy on Monday.
Malta: A. Hogg, Z. Muscat, P. Fenech, A. Agius, R. Fenech (B. Kristensen), C. Failla, R. Briffa (J. Grioli), M. Mifsud, R. Muscat, A. Schembri (T. Vella), R. Camilleri.
Norway: OH Nyland, A. Tettey (H. Singh), H. Nordtveit, J. King (H. Nielsen), S. Johansen, T. Elyounoussi, O. Elabdellaoui, PC Skjelbred (J. Samuelsen), M. Linnes, M. Daehli, V. Forren.
Referee: A. Gautier (France)
Asst refs: M. Annonier, P. Jeanne.
Additional asst refs: B. Bastien, S. Desiage
4th official: E. Danizan.
Scorers: M. Daehli 21, J. King 25, 49,
Yellow cards: A. Agius.
Attendance: 8,076.
Report by Henry Brincat, Photos Jonathan Borg