It was the first game in the Nations League and there were many things that came first, there was especially a lot of attention around Jürgen Klopp who has just taken over as national team manager for Germany. – It was only a draw for Germany against the Netherlands led by Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.
While the football giant Norway won over the country without mountains… Denmark.
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A thing that has become a matter of course when Norway plays. – Erling Haaland is going to score goals. It was more exciting than it had to be. Norway scored two goals at the beginning of the first half, first Oscar Bobb with an assist from captain Martin Ødegaard, then Erling Haaland with an assist from Antonio Nusa. – After 18 minutes, it was quiet in the Danish part of the stands.
But the silence did not last very long, immediately afterwards came the Danes’ first goal by Mikkel Damsgaard and then in the second half Rasmus Højlund equalized. – The Danes sang aptly enough – “It’s quiet in Norway now” Perfect atmosphere and match just as it should be.
The Manchester City striker can’t stop scoring
Nations League: Haaland with two goals for Norway – Ireland lost – Germany drew and Portugal won.
Erling Haaland did it again, securing a decisive double that gave Norway a nerve-wracking 3-2 victory over Denmark in the Nations League opener.
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Fresh from a remarkable World Cup tournament where he scored seven goals and led Norway to the quarter-finals, the Manchester City striker was once again the big difference in Oslo.
A chaotic first half set the tone with three goals in 11 minutes.
Erling Haaland has now scored 64 international goals in 56 games
Fulham’s Oscar Bobb opened the scoring by receiving a precise pass from Arsenal playmaker Martin Ødegaard and curling a lovely finish into the far corner. Just four minutes later, Antonio Nusa danced into Denmark’s sixteen-yard box before sending a pass to Haaland, who with instinctive certainty slotted the ball past Filip Jørgensen on the first touch.
Brentford’s Mikkel Damsgaard almost immediately reduced the deficit with a magnificent free-kick from 25 yards, and Denmark came back on the hour mark when former Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund equalised to make it 2-2.
Haaland, however, had the last word. After a clever corner variation, the lethal striker found space inside the box and knocked in the winning goal.
At the very end of the game, Bergen defenseman David Møller Wolfe managed to get a red kort.er
“We can play better,” Klopp said after the draw between Germany and the Netherlands
Jürgen Klopp and Xavi shared the points in their international debuts as the Netherlands secured a dramatic 1-1 draw with Germany in injury time in the Nations League.
Klopp, who leads his native Germany, and Barcelona icon Xavi, who has taken over the helm for the Netherlands, were in action for the first time since their post-World Cup appointments.
Klopp looked to be heading for an opening win before his former Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo equalised in injury time.
However, the occasion was overshadowed by two injury blows in the first half for key Premier League strikers.
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz had to retire early in Amsterdam after receiving a high boot to the knee from Quinten Timber. Shortly after, Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey – fresh from a sensational hat-trick against Manchester City – had to retire with what looked like a muscle problem.
On the pitch, Germany struck first through Felix Nmecha, who put in from close range before half-time and gave Klopp a dream start.
The Netherlands pushed for a way back, and Xavi found the spark from the bench. Late substitute Rúben van Bommel made history as the third generation of the family representing the Netherlands – after father Mark van Bommel and grandfather Bert van Marwijk – and delivered when it mattered most. The debutant hit a precise cross deep in injury time that Gakpo converted into a goal.
“We have to accept the result,” Klopp said. “Even though I desperately wanted to win, I’m taking a draw.
“There were two teams, two very good football teams, in the same situation. Both wanted to prove that things are not as bad as they are perceived right now. And it showed in the match.
“I was very, very, very happy with a lot of the individual performances. Overall, I was very happy with the passion we showed. We can play better and play more football, that’s for sure.”
Otherwise, the Republic of Ireland was tame in the loss to Kosovo, while Greece won in Serbia.
Israel striker Saied Abu Farchi was sent off after scoring the equaliser against Austria, following a celebration in which he used the corner flag to simulate a gun. “Probably a long time since he’s had time to kill anyone.
Austria eventually won 3-1 with two late goals.
Nations League Results
Andorra 1-2 Malta
Netherlands 1-1 Germany
Serbia 1-2 Greece
Liechtenstein 0-2 Lithuania
Austria 3–1 Israel
Kosovo 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Norway 3-2 Denmark
Portugal 1-0 Wales
Of course, Norwegian supporters couldn’t help but calm down, but as an oil nation, I think it’s time for an outboard motor.
