Erling Haaland produced another clinical performance as Norway opened their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Denmark at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on Thursday.
Norway raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 18 minutes, only for Denmark to fight back and level the contest in the second half. But Haaland struck again in the 74th minute to restore Norway’s advantage and ultimately secure all three points in a five-goal Scandinavian thriller.
The victory also came with late drama as Norway finished the match with 10 men after David Møller Wolfe was sent off in stoppage time. UEFA listed Norway’s victory as one of the headline results from the opening night of the 2026/27 Nations League.
Norway started brightly and needed just 14 minutes to break the deadlock.
Oscar Bobb opened the scoring after receiving a clever pass from Martin Ødegaard. Bobb controlled the ball on the right side of the penalty area before curling a composed left-footed effort beyond Denmark goalkeeper Filip Jørgensen and into the far corner.
The goal was initially subjected to a VAR review before it was confirmed, giving Norway a deserved early advantage.
Four minutes later, Norway doubled their lead.
Haaland was released by a clever through ball from Antonio Nusa, and the Manchester City striker made no mistake. Haaland drove his left-footed finish from the left side of the box, sending the ball through Jørgensen and into the net to make it 2-0 in the 18th minute.
Denmark, however, refused to collapse.
The visitors pulled a goal back in the 25th minute through Mikkel Damsgaard, who produced a superb free-kick. The Denmark midfielder curled the ball over the Norwegian wall and into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland with little chance.
The goal completely changed the momentum of the match.
Denmark grew increasingly dangerous before half-time, while Norway continued to threaten on the counterattack. One of the key moments came when Haaland helped create an opportunity for Patrick Berg, but Filip Jørgensen produced an excellent reflex save to keep Denmark within touching distance.
The second half continued at a frantic pace.
Haaland came close with an effort from the edge of the box, but Denmark gradually increased the pressure. Their persistence finally paid off in the 60th minute.
From a Denmark corner, Morten Hjulmand saw his downward header blocked by Nyland, but the rebound fell perfectly for Rasmus Højlund. The Danish striker reacted quickest and headed the loose ball into the net from close range to make it 2-2.
Denmark had completed the comeback.
The visitors nearly went in front soon afterwards when Højlund produced another dangerous effort that Nyland managed to tip onto the post and behind. It was a major warning for Norway, who were suddenly under serious pressure.
But Norway had Haaland.
In the 74th minute, the striker restored Norway’s lead with another ruthless finish.
The move came from a cleverly worked corner. Antonio Nusa played a short pass to Ødegaard, who advanced towards the byline before cutting the ball back into the danger area. Haaland attacked the opportunity and fired a left-footed finish into the top corner to make it 3-2.
It was Haaland’s second goal of the night and proved to be the decisive moment. UEFA also highlighted the 74th-minute strike as the winning goal.
Norway continued to threaten after retaking the lead, with Haaland going close again and Andreas Schjelderup forcing another save from Jørgensen.
Denmark refused to give up and pushed forward during the closing stages, but Norway defended their narrow advantage.
There was further drama in stoppage time when David Møller Wolfe received a second yellow card, leaving Norway with 10 men for the final moments. Wolfe had already been booked earlier in the match before receiving his second caution after a foul involving Gustav Isaksen.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Norway held firm until the final whistle.
The result gave Norway a winning start to their Nations League campaign, while Haaland continued his remarkable scoring record in the competition. UEFA lists him as the all-time leading Nations League scorer, and his two goals against Denmark took his tally to 21 goals in the competition.
For Denmark, the defeat will be particularly frustrating after recovering from a two-goal deficit and drawing level through Damsgaard and Højlund.
For Norway, however, the night belonged to Haaland.
Bobb provided the early spark, Ødegaard played a major role in Norway’s attacking moves, Nusa supplied two important assists, and Haaland delivered the finishing touch when it mattered most.
After a match packed with goals, comebacks, saves, a VAR review and a late red card, Norway emerged 3-2 winners in one of the most entertaining opening-night fixtures of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League.
