Haaland Brace Powers Norway Past Denmark 3-2

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway opened its UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-2 comeback-tinged win over Denmark in Oslo.

Oscar Bobb broke the deadlock in the 14th minute from a Martin Odegaard pass, and Erling Haaland doubled the lead four minutes later, slotting home a first-time finish after Antonio Nusa's pass beat goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Norway substitute David Moller Wolfe was sent off in stoppage time after a second yellow card, but Denmark could not capitalize.

The two goals make it nine in Haaland's past six games for club and country, according to BBC Sport, following his seven-goal World Cup run that carried Norway to the quarter-finals before a defeat by England. USA Today reports the Manchester City striker now has 64 goals in 56 international appearances, and 21 goals in 17 Nations League games, making him the competition's all-time top scorer. In his first international outing since the World Cup, Haaland showed no sign of slowing down, restoring Norway's lead with what the outlet describes as a first-time rocket.

Denmark sit third with Wales fourth. According to Tempo, Norway will host Portugal in their next outing, a likely decisive clash at the top of the table, while Denmark takes on Wales. The top two in each group advance to quarter-finals played over two legs in March.

The BBC's match data shows a tight contest: 13 shots and 7 shots on target apiece, with Denmark edging possession 51.2% to 48.8%. Denmark hit the woodwork once and won eight corners to Norway's four, but Norway's efficiency inside the box — 34 total touches in the opposition area to Denmark's 26 — told. goal.com's report highlights Norway's high press that forced the opening goal and Nusa tearing past Rasmus Kristensen in the build-up to Haaland's first, with the striker 'smiling like a merciless killer' after his winner.

Portugal enters that stretch with a new era underway under Jorge Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martinez after Portugal's round-of-16 World Cup exit, and with a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo still leading the line as he chases 1,000 career goals — currently on 979, per Al Jazeera. For Norway, momentum from a World Cup quarter-final run and a Haaland brace makes the Portugal clash a genuine statement opportunity.