After the celebrations during the football World Cup this summer, Norway today opened this year’s Nations League against our former occupier Denmark.
The Nations League is such a complicated system that even national-team players such as Julian Ryerson admit that they do not understand the concept. But regardless, beating the Danes on the pitch is always an objective, and this time Norway were the favourites, even in Danish newspapers.
Norway take command at Ullevaal from the outset. But not much happens, and the Danes are soon back in the match. Then Norway play around a little, and Oscar Bobb is involved in several episodes. It ends with Ødegaard delivering the ball to Bobb, who gives Norway the lead in the 14th minute.
‘No sign of any World Cup hangover here,’ says TV2’s commentator.
Then superhero Haaland scores a minute later, and Norway lead by two goals after 18 minutes.
But the Danes have not given up; they presumably long to return to what we Norwegians call the 400-year night. A free kick from 18 metres is easily placed in the net, and the Norwegian goalkeeper Nyland is completely absent.
Well, at least it is an entertaining match so far, with three goals after 25 minutes.
Things calm down a little, but after 38 minutes Norway get a big chance that Patrick Berg fails to take advantage of. Then the Danes get an opportunity in first-half stoppage time, but Nyland stops Mæhle’s shot.
After the break, Ødegaard and Berge create an opportunity for Nusa, who almost manages to score after dribbling his way through the entire Danish defence. Immediately afterwards, Haaland tries a shot from about 16 metres, but the goalkeeper saves.
Then the Danes get a good chance, but Mæhle cannot quite reach Dorgu’s cross.
After around an hour, Denmark get a corner, and after a bit of back and forth Højlund scores. The score is therefore 2–2, and Norway have thrown away a two-goal lead.
The Danes are the better side now. Norway substitute three players. But Denmark continue to press, and Nyland saves a good effort from Højlund via the post.
Then it is Norway who get a corner, and once again we must thank higher powers for Haaland. The ball goes from Nusa to Ødegaard, who finds Haaland. The goal machine from Jæren is ruthless and powers the ball into the net!
Erling Braut Haaland has thus reached 64 international goals in 56 matches, an absolutely incredible statistic.
The minutes tick by, and in the 85th minute Nusa produces a good effort that goes just over the goal.
In stoppage time, substitute David Møller Wolfe receives his second yellow card and is sent off after less than half an hour on the pitch.
But a couple of minutes later, the referee blows the whistle, and Norway have maximum points after the first match of this year’s Nations League. It is the first time Norway have beaten Denmark since a friendly at La Manga 26 years ago.
On Sunday, Portugal will be at Ullevaal, a match that could decide a great deal, although I do not really understand exactly what that means in this incomprehensible set-up. One understands, at least, that it is best for Norway to win matches.
