UEFA Nations League 2024: Italy and France Secure Wins; Erling Haaland Shines for Norway
UEFA Nations League 2024 Updates: With a noteworthy victory for Wales and some outstanding performances from Erling Haaland, Italy and France maintained their excellent play in the UEFA Nations League on Monday.
Due to the security situation in the Middle East, the Italians played their match in Budapest on neutral territory, building on their spectacular victory over France the previous weekend. They defeated Israel 2-1. At the Bozsik Arena, home of Honved, goals in each half from Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean proved to be enough for Italy to win in a low-key fashion.
After their dismal championship defense in the European Championship that ended at the last-16 stage, Luciano Spalletti’s club has responded admirably, and they certainly deserved their second victory in as many days. In the 38th minute, Frattesi scored the first goal of the 3-1 victory in France by chesting in Federico Dimarco’s precise cross.
Just after the hour, Fiorentina forward Kean made it 2-0 with his first goal for Italy in nearly three years. At the end, Israel’s Mohamed Abu Fani pulled one back. With the maximum six points, Italy leads Nations League Group A2, with Belgium and France tied for third place.
France defeated Belgium 2-0 in Lyon, with to goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele. The victory came despite captain Kylian Mbappe not being included in the starting lineup. The match was a rematch of the Euro 2024 semifinal in Duesseldorf, where France prevailed 1-0 courtesy to a late own goal.
This time, Les Bleus took the lead shortly before the half-hour mark thanks to a goal from Kolo Muani after Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels parried Dembele’s mishit drive. Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium team was unable to equalize, as Dembele’s outstanding solo performance gave France another goal on minute 57.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger cut inside from the right wing and used his left foot to drive a shot into the net.
Sesko scores a stunning hat-trick, Wales win
In Group B3, Manchester City forward Haaland scored the game-winning goal with ten minutes remaining to help Norway defeat Austria 2-1 in Oslo. Felix Myhre gave Norway the lead at the beginning of the match, but Marcel Sabitzer of Borussia Dortmund tied the score for Austria just before halftime.
Haaland, who failed to score in Friday’s 0-0 draw between Norway and Kazakhstan, nevertheless, displayed his signature strength inside the box to fend off his opponent and score the game-winning goal, which was awarded following a protracted VAR review to rule out an offside.
In the same group, Slovenia defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 in Ljubljana thanks to a hat-trick from RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
In Group B4, Wales won their first match under new coach Craig Bellamy, defeating Montenegro 2-1 on the road after a goalless draw with Turkey.
Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson both scored goals in the first three minutes, giving them a fantastic start. The hosts then got one back thanks to Driton Camaj.
In Izmir, Turkey defeated Iceland 3-1; Kerem Akturkoglu of Benfica scored a hat-trick in the match. League C saw victories on Monday for Kosovo and Romania, respectively.
