Haaland brace fires Norway top of Nations League group

Erling Haaland scored twice to lead Norway to a 3-2 victory over Denmark in UEFA Nations League League A Group 4 on Thursday, moving the hosts to the top of their group on goal difference.

Norway took early control as former Manchester City midfielder Oscar Bobb opened the scoring on 14 minutes, with Haaland adding a second just four minutes later. Denmark hit back through Mikkel Damsgaard before the half-hour mark to keep the match alive.

Rasmus Hojlund drew the visitors level on 60 minutes, setting up a tense finale. Haaland, Norway's all-time top goalscorer, had the final say, firing into the top-left corner from inside the Denmark box with 15 minutes remaining.

Portugal also secured three points on Thursday, edging Wales 1-0 in a hard-fought contest. City captain Rúben Dias played the full 90 minutes at centre-back, limiting Wales to just one shot on target as he earned his 81st international cap. Joao Felix's deflected effort from the edge of the box proved the decisive moment.

Earlier in the day, City defender Abdukodir Khusanov played every minute of Uzbekistan's 3-1 friendly win over Iran. Eldor Shomurodov scored twice and Khusain Norchaev added a late third, with Uzbekistan's only concession a Jakhongir Urozov own goal.