Nations League: Haaland Double Sinks Denmark as Netherlands and Germany Draw

The Netherlands opened their UEFA Nations League campaign with a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Germany on Thursday, as debutant Ruben van Bommel provided a crucial late assist for Cody Gakpo. Operating under a newly minted tactical era following changes after the last World Cup—with the Oranje led by Xavi and the Nationalmannschaft directed by Jürgen Klopp—both sides traded blows in an intense Group 2 fixture.

The match turned on several key moments in both halves. Virgil van Dijk thought he had broken the deadlock for the hosts in the 12th minute when he headed home from a corner kick, but referee Alejandro Hernandez waved off the goal following a VAR review. Match officials ruled that Brian Brobbey, stationed directly in front of the German goalkeeper, had illegally impeded the keeper’s ability to contest the cross. Germany capitalized shortly after the half-hour mark when Felix Nmecha struck in the 32nd minute to put the visitors ahead. Karim Adeyemi nearly doubled that advantage in the 38th minute, but the forward missed the target entirely when left alone in front of goal.

As the match wound down, debutant Ruben van Bommel stepped up in the 83rd minute. Earning his first senior cap—and continuing a footballing lineage as the son of Red Devils coach Mark van Bommel—the substitute delivered a precise assist that allowed Cody Gakpo to equalize in the 92nd minute. The 1–1 final score leaves both powerhouse nations tied on one point in the Group 2 standings.

Greece Takes Early Group 2 Lead

While the heavyweights split points, Greece seized control of Group 2 with a dramatic 2–1 away victory against Serbia. Andrija Zivkovic stunned the visitors by firing Serbia ahead after just four minutes. However, the Greek side mounted a resilient comeback in the second half. Former Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis leveled the score in the 74th minute, and Anastasios Douvikas sealed the three points with a decisive strike deep into stoppage time in the 95th minute. The result puts Greece alone at the top of the group with three points, while Serbia sits at the bottom.

Nations League: Haaland Double Sinks Denmark as Netherlands and Germany Draw — Photo: lesoir.be

Haaland Fires Norway Past Denmark

In Group 4 action, Erling Haaland delivered a masterclass with two goals to lead Norway to a thrilling 3–2 victory over Denmark on Thursday. Norway bolted out to an early two-goal cushion when Martin Odegaard set up Oscar Bobb for a clinical finish into the left side of the net in the 14th minute. Haaland struck four minutes later in the 18th minute, slotting home a dangerous cross to double the advantage.

Denmark responded swiftly through Mikkel Damsgaard, who curled in a brilliant free kick in the 25th minute. Rasmus Højlund then brought the visitors level with a header right at the hour mark. But the Vikings relied on their talisman to secure the points. Haaland powered home a close-range effort in the 74th minute, marking his 64th international goal in his 56th appearance for his country.

In the other Group 4 fixture, Portugal edged Wales 1–0 thanks to a 22nd-minute strike from João Félix. Following the opening round of matches, Norway and Portugal share the Group 4 summit with three points each, while Denmark and Wales trail without a point.