In Oslo, beneath the familiar roar of Ullevaal Stadion, Norway again found its decisive figure in Erling Haaland. The striker scored twice in a 3-2 Nations League win over Denmark, rescuing a match that had slipped from Norwegian control and taking his extraordinary international return to 64 goals in 56 appearances.
A fast Norwegian start in Oslo
Norway began with the authority of a side eager to make its mark in the new Nations League campaign. Stale Solbakken’s team were two goals ahead inside 18 minutes, with Oscar Bobb first setting the tone.
- Oscar Bobb opened the scoring in the 14th minute after driving infield and placing a left-footed finish into the far corner.
- Four minutes later, Haaland ran beyond the Danish defence and finished sharply to double Norway’s advantage.
- The early surge put the hosts in apparent control of a Scandinavian meeting that soon became far less straightforward.
Denmark turn the match around
Denmark refused to allow the contest to become a routine Norwegian evening. Mikkel Damsgaard reduced the deficit in the 25th minute with a direct free-kick that Norway goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen did not see clearly until it was too late.
The visitors then restored parity after the interval. In the 60th minute, Rasmus Hojlund reacted to a loose ball following a save by the Norwegian goalkeeper and headed home to make it 2-2. The Napoli forward’s intervention erased Norway’s early work and left the home side facing a tense final half-hour.
Haaland supplies the final answer
Norway’s response arrived from a set piece in the 74th minute. Haaland found space inside the area after a corner and converted from close range, delivering the final goal of a five-goal contest.
- Norway 3-2 Denmark
- Goals: Bobb 14, Haaland 18 and 74; Damsgaard 25, Hojlund 60
- Haaland’s Norway record: 64 goals in 56 international matches
- Norway’s Nations League start: three points
The victory strengthened Haaland’s status as Norway’s all-time leading scorer, with his total continuing to rise at a remarkable rate. Norway will next face Portugal on Sunday, 27 October, after opening their Nations League campaign with a significant home win in the capital.
