BELGRADE - Striker Erling Haaland's superb first-half volley gave Norway a surprising 1-0 win away to Serbia as they got their Nations League Group B4 campaign underway on Thursday, but they needed goalkeeping heroics from Ørjan Nyland to secure the win.
The visitors took the lead in the 26th minute as Martin Ødegaard sliced open the defense with a beautiful pass to Marcus Pedersen who crossed for Haaland to deftly volley home from close range with the only shot on target in the first half.
Redemption for @ErlingHaaland! pic.twitter.com/WxVEErLDJm
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 2, 2022
Erling Haaland's last six games for Norway:
⚽ vs. Netherlands
⚽ vs. Latvia
⚽⚽⚽ vs. Gibraltar
⚽ vs. Slovakia
⚽⚽ vs. Armenia
⚽ vs. SerbiaAnother game, another international goal. pic.twitter.com/z765hkdZE8
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 2, 2022
Serbia dominated possession and put the Norwegian defense under tremendous pressure in the second half, but Nyland pulled off a string of fine saves to keep his clean sheet intact and secure the three points for his team.
Serbia host Slovenia on Sunday, while Norway take on Scandinavian rivals and group leaders Sweden in Stockholm.
Norway’s Erling Haaland scored a massive goal to defeat Serbia
Rewatch the highlights here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/AhKdfJd839— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 2, 2022
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Ed Osmond)