Belgrade, Serbia.
Erling Haaland’s success was enough for Norway to emerge victorious from the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade and raise doubts with Serbia (0-1) in the staging of the third edition of the UEFA Nations League, which lifted the Czech Republic thanks to a double by Jan Kuchta against Switzerland (2-1).
The Czech team led by Jaroslav Silhavy, who missed out on the World Cup in the play-off phase, emerged as the first leader of Group 2 of League A, the first division of the competition.
The Czech Republic also benefited from the stumble of Spain against Portugal (1-1) to position himself as the solo leader of the quartet. Silhavy’s team, which will face Luis Enrique’s on Sunday, carried out the visit to Prague from Switzerland.
Kuchta, a Lokomotiv Moscow striker, put the Central European team ahead, although Salzburg striker Noah Okafor equalized just before half-time. Kuchta appeared again in minute 58 to undo the equalizer and return the advantage to a local team that kept it until the end.
The Czech team adds the first three points and Switzerland did not score. Spain was unable to beat Portugal in Seville and in the second half, Braga striker Ricardo Horta neutralized the one signed by Álvaro Morata in the 25th minute.
HAALAND, ENOUGH FOR NORWAY
An hour of Erling Haaland encouraged the staging of Norway who added their first victory in the second category of the tournament, League B. They beat Serbia in Belgrade, who resorted to Real Madrid attacker Luka Jovic in the second half.
The brand new Manchester City striker appeared in the 27th minute to take advantage of a pass from the right by Marcus Pedersen and shoot Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milikovic Savic.
The former Borussia Dortmund player did not do much more, who was replaced in 67 by Morten Thorsby. Real Sociedad’s striker, Alexander Sorloth, was already on the field, who was a substitute at the beginning, but who jumped onto the field in the interval in the place of Joshua King.
Jovic’s contribution, who took the place of Sevilla’s Nemanja Gudelj in the interval, was no solution for Dragan Stojkovic’s side, who suffered their first defeat of the tournament.
Norway won 0-1 and is now on three points but in Group 4 behind Sweden, who scored two goals at the Stozice Ljubljana stadium against Slovenia with Jan Oblak under goal.
The Swedish side, who had the Real Sociedad player as the lead in their attack, put an end to the good streak of their rival who had gone four games without losing.
The penalty converted by the Leipzig striker, Emil Forsberg, in the final stretch of the first half and the goal by the Tottenham midfielder, Dejan Kulusevski, two from the end rounded off the away victory that kicked off his debut in League B on the right foot , where it descended in the last edition.
It was good news for Janne Andersson’s team that starts the tournament after several frustrations. Especially his absence from the World Cup.
WEISSMAN SALVA A ISRAEL
A goal five minutes from time by Valladolid attacker Shon Weissman relieved Israel in the first match of Group 2 of League B against Iceland (2-2).
It was providential that Weissman entered the field, a substitute for Alon Hazan who burst onto the pitch at game time in place of Munas Dabbur, with the score against him.
And that Israel took advantage in the match played at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa with a goal from Celtic player, Liel Abada, in the 25th minute. But before the break, Lecce midfielder, Thorir Johann Helgason, took advantage of a mistake of the goalkeeper Ofir Marciano to establish the equalizer.
Iceland came from behind as Venezia midfielder Arnor Sigurdsson netted a ball from Hordur Magnusson but Weissman’s aim frustrated the visitors and gave Israel their first point.
