Haaland inspires Norway as Denmark thrash Ronaldo-less Portugal in Nations League

Erling Haaland scored and provided an assist as Norway beat Wales 3-1 in Oslo, while Denmark condemned Portugal to a heavy defeat in Cristiano Ronaldo’s first international absence since retiring from international football.

Norway improved significantly after a goalless first half at Ullevaal Stadium and took the lead in the 59th minute. Antonio Nusa gathered the ball after a corner, cut inside on to his right foot and struck a powerful effort beyond Karl Darlow.

Andreas Schjelderup doubled the advantage in the 68th minute, only two minutes after coming on. Nusa began the move before Haaland sent a cross through the penalty area for Schjelderup to finish at the far post.

Wales reduced the deficit in the 79th minute when Harry Wilson found David Brooks. Brooks held off David Møller Wolfe before lifting the ball over Norway goalkeeper Egil Selvik.

Any hopes of a comeback ended two minutes from time. Connor Roberts fouled Schjelderup in the area and Haaland sent Darlow the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Wales are certain to finish bottom of Group A4, regardless of their result against Portugal on Tuesday. They could finish level with Denmark and Norway on six points, but their inferior head-to-head records mean they are likely to face a March play-off to avoid relegation.

Norway have moved to six points and conclude their campaign away to Denmark on Tuesday.

Denmark punish Portugal

Denmark dominated from the opening minute in Portugal’s first game since Ronaldo’s international retirement. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg converted a penalty shortly before half-time, before Rasmus Højlund scored twice after the interval.

Højlund volleyed home four minutes into the second half, then ran beyond Ruben Dias and finished from the edge of the area. Joachim Andersen headed in Denmark’s fourth, while Bernardo Silva scored a late consolation.

Denmark are second on nine points and will qualify with a draw against Norway on Tuesday. Portugal had already secured a place in the quarter-finals.

Austria and Sweden promoted

Substitute Sasa Kalajdzic scored in the 79th minute at his club ground in Linz as Austria beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 to secure promotion to League A with one match remaining.

Ireland must beat Kosovo in Dublin on Tuesday to reach a play-off.

Sweden also secured promotion as Group B4 winners after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-2. Daniel Svensson headed the opener before Viktor Gyokeres scored two penalties to put Sweden three goals ahead at half-time.

Armin Gigovic scored within two minutes of the restart and Sead Kolasinac added another shortly after the hour, but Sweden held on. Bosnia remain second on eight points and will enter the promotion-relegation play-offs.

Wins for Romania, Hungary and Northern Ireland

Romania claimed their first points under returning coach Gheorghe Hagi by beating Poland 2-1. Alexandru Cicaldau and Dennis Man scored four minutes apart in the second half, while Marcel Regula’s 82nd-minute goal was not enough. The result avenged Romania’s 6-0 defeat in Warsaw in October and ended Poland’s play-off hopes.

Hungary beat Georgia 2-0, with Lasha Dvali turning Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner into his own net in the 73rd minute. Barnabas Varga added a counter-attacking goal in the 85th to move Hungary provisionally top on 10 points, with Georgia bottom on two.

Terry Devlin’s first international goal gave Northern Ireland a 1-0 win over Ukraine. He struck powerfully from the edge of the box after a corner, leaving the goalkeeper motionless. Northern Ireland need a point in Hungary on Tuesday to reach League A for the first time.