Second win in the second game thanks to Erling Haaland: Three days after the 1-0 win in Serbia, the Norwegian national football team also won the Scandinavian duel in Sweden 2-1 (1-0) in the Nations League. Haaland, who joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund on July 1, scored both goals for the team of former Cologne coach Stale Solbakken.
Haaland first scored after 20 minutes with a penalty kick. Emil Krafth had previously touched Morten Thorsby only slightly. In the second half, the superstar followed up with a low shot to make it 2-0 (69′). A little later, Haaland, who now scored 18 goals in 19 international matches, even had the chance to score a hat-trick, but he failed free-standing to goalkeeper Robin Olsen. The Swedes, who also won their opening match in Slovenia 2-0, proved to be at least equal in Solna. But in the end they completely lacked the efficiency of the Norwegians. Anthony Elanga (90+2) scored late.
In the second game of the evening in group B4, World Cup participants Serbia won 4-1 (1-1) against Slovenia. Captain Aleksandar Mitrovic (24′), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (56′) and Luka Jovic (85′) each headed from close range. Ex-Hertha player Nemanja Radonjic made the final score (90+2). Full-back Petar Stojanovic was successful for Slovenia with a nice chip (30th).
Norway, who meet Slovenia on Thursday, took the lead in the group with six points. Sweden and Serbia, who play each other on Thursday, follow in second and third place with three points.
Ronaldo also hits twice
Former world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has led the Portuguese national team to resounding success with a brace in the Nations League. In a duel between two World Cup participants, the Selecao defeated Switzerland 4-0 (3-0) at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Ronaldo scored his goals number 116 and 117 in his 187th international match (35th, 39th). The 37-year-old from Manchester United thus extended his lead in the “eternal” top scorers list at national team level. William Carvalho (16′) gave Portugal the lead, Joao Cancelo (69′) scored the fourth goal.
Portugal are top of Group A2 with four points from two games. The Swiss with four Bundesliga professionals in the starting line-up are still without a point. In the parallel game in Prague, the Czech Republic (four points) drew 2-2 (1-1) against Germany’s opponents in the World Cup, Spain (two), even without the injured Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick. Jakub Pesek from Sparta Prague (4th) gave the home side the lead, Gavi (45th + 3) equalized.
The FC Barcelona player became the Seleccion’s youngest goalscorer at 17 years and 304 days, beating club-mate Ansu Fati’s mark from 2020 by seven days. Jan Kuchta (66′) gave the Czech Republic the lead again with a nice lob, Inigo Martinez (90′) equalized late for Spain.