Haaland Scores Twice as Norway Beats Denmark 3-2 in Nations League Opener

Erling Haaland proved once again that his goal-scoring instinct is impossible to contain. The Norwegian striker bagged a brace in his national team's 3-2 victory over Denmark at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadion on the opening matchday of the Nations League. Those two goals take his international tally to 64 in 56 matches for Norway, further cementing his status as the country's all-time leading scorer.

• Norway beat Denmark 3-2 in Oslo to start the new Nations League campaign.
• Erling Haaland scored twice and extended his record to 64 goals in 56 international games.
• Oscar Bobb opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a fine left-footed finish.
• Denmark fought back through Damsgaard and Hojlund before Haaland's 74th-minute winner.
• Norway's next opponent is Portugal on Sunday, October 27.

Norway Sets the Pace Early in Oslo

Stale Solbakken's side came out determined to impose their tempo from the opening whistle. Only 14 minutes had been played when Oscar Bobb made it 1-0. The young attacker drove inside and unleashed a left-footed strike that nestled into the far corner, leaving the Danish goalkeeper with no chance. The home crowd was still celebrating that first goal when the second arrived.

Just four minutes later, Haaland did what he does best: attacking the space behind the center-backs with the instincts of a true number nine. He timed his run perfectly, found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and finished with a composure that belied his powerful frame. Within 18 minutes, Norway led 2-0 and their star was already running the show.

Denmark Hits Back Through Damsgaard and Hojlund

Denmark refused to go away and found a route back into the match before halftime. Mikkel Damsgaard pulled one back in the 25th minute with a direct free kick that caught Filip Jorgensen by surprise. The ball moved late enough to beat the Norwegian goalkeeper, and the 2-1 scoreline brought fresh tension to a contest that had threatened to become a one-sided affair.

The equalizer came in the second half, in the 60th minute. Rasmus Hojlund pounced on a loose ball after a save from Norway's goalkeeper and headed home to make it 2-2. The Napoli forward's goal punished a Norway side that had begun to feel the game was already won after their explosive start.

Haaland Delivers the Decisive Blow

Just as doubts began to creep into the Norwegian ranks, their talisman stepped up once more. From a set-piece routine born out of a corner kick, Haaland found himself with a clear sight of goal inside the box and made no mistake. His 74th-minute strike made it 3-2 and sent the Ullevaal crowd into raptures.

64 goals in 56 games for his country. A number that simply keeps growing.

The brace against Denmark confirmed yet again that Norway's tempo carries Haaland's signature. The striker continues to shatter every record placed in front of him, and his international scoring rate now exceeds a goal per game, a mark that stands alone among the great attacking players in Scandinavian football history.

Norway Opens Nations League with Three Points

The victory gives the Norwegians their first three points in the new Nations League edition and places them in a solid position within a demanding group. Solbakken's team will be back in action at home in their next fixture, facing Portugal on Sunday, October 27, in what promises to be a crucial test for both sides.

Norway's start to the tournament could hardly have been better. Beating Denmark, a direct rival in the race for the top spots in the group, provides a major boost to a project that has been knocking on the door of major international competitions for some time and leans heavily on Haaland's scoring power.

Frequently Asked Questions About Norway vs Denmark