*Goals: Bobb 14, Haaland 18 & 74 - Damsgaard 25, Hojlund 60.

Returning to the national team after reaching the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, Haaland immediately asserted his central role in Norway's attack. The 26-year-old striker converted two scoring opportunities in the penalty area, leading the hosts past Denmark at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.

Norway started with an attacking trio of Oscar Bobb, Haaland, and Antonio Nusa, supported by captain Martin Odegaard. These players were involved in all three goals, demonstrating the diverse attacking strength of Coach Stale Solbakken's team.

In the 14th minute, Odegaard played a through ball for Bobb, who slotted a left-footed shot into the far corner to open the scoring. Four minutes later, Nusa dribbled through the Danish defense before delivering a precise pass for Haaland to finish with one touch, sending the ball past goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

Haaland celebrates a goal during Norway's victory over Denmark in their UEFA Nations League A4 opener at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, on the evening of 24/9/2026. Photo: Reuters

Haaland's first goal exemplified how Norway utilizes the Manchester City striker's abilities. He did not heavily participate in ball circulation but timed his runs perfectly into the space between the full-back and center-back.

Denmark reduced the deficit in the 25th minute with a free-kick from about 25 meters by Mikkel Damsgaard. This was the Brentford midfielder's first direct free-kick goal since 2021. The visitors then controlled possession, while Norway slowed their pace, no longer applying constant pressure as they did early in the match.

This drop in intensity cost the hosts in the 60th minute. Rasmus Hojlund capitalized on space in the penalty area to score, leveling the match at 2-2. The striker, formerly with Manchester United, also hit the post during Denmark's period of greatest pressure.

As the momentum appeared to shift towards the visitors, Haaland again made the difference. In the 74th minute, Norway executed a pre-planned corner kick routine. Odegaard received the ball and passed it into the central area, where Haaland escaped his marker and fired a powerful shot to make it 3-2.

The Manchester City striker has scored 9 goals in his last 6 matches for club and country. His brace against Denmark followed a strong performance at the World Cup 2026, where he scored 7 goals, helping Norway reach the quarterfinals in their first appearance at the global football festival since 1998.

This brace increased Haaland's tally to 64 goals in 56 appearances for Norway. He surpassed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored 62 goals for Sweden, to become the all-time leading male scorer for Nordic national teams. Haaland achieved this milestone at just 26 years old, playing less than half the number of matches as Ibrahimovic.

The hosts lost David Moller Wolfe due to a second yellow card in the third minute of added time. However, Denmark did not have enough time to capitalize on their numerical advantage, allowing Norway to preserve the 3-2 scoreline.

The victory places Norway at the top of Group A4, ahead of Portugal, who defeated Wales 1-0. This marks Coach Solbakken's team's first season competing in League A, having earned promotion from League B.

The top two teams in the group will advance to the quarterfinals, the last-place team will be relegated, and the third-place team will enter a relegation play-off. Norway will host Portugal, also at Ullevaal, on 27/9, while Denmark will play Wales at home on the same day.

By Vy Anh