Nations League: France, Italy Secure Crucial Wins, Haaland Scores for Norway

Italy maintained their perfect start in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, while France overcame Belgium, and Erling Haaland scored a late winner for Norway against Austria.

Italy followed up their impressive away victory against France with a 2-1 win over Israel in a match played on neutral ground in Budapest due to security concerns in the Middle East. Goals from Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean secured the win in a quiet atmosphere at the Bozsik Arena, home of Honved.

Italy, under coach Luciano Spalletti, have responded well after their disappointing European Championship title defense, which ended in the last 16. Frattesi, who scored in the 3-1 victory over France, opened the scoring in the 38th minute, chesting in a precise cross from Federico Dimarco. Kean added Italy’s second goal just after the hour mark, his first international goal in three years, before Mohamed Abu Fani scored a late consolation for Israel.

Italy now leads Nations League Group A2 with six points, while France and Belgium are tied with three points each.

France defeated Belgium 2-0 in Lyon, with goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele, even though Kylian Mbappe was rested. The game was a rematch of their Euro 2024 last-16 clash, where France won 1-0. Kolo Muani gave France the lead just before the half-hour mark, pouncing after a Dembele shot was parried by Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels. Dembele himself added a second goal in the 57th minute with a superb left-footed strike after cutting in from the right wing.

In Group B3, Norway secured a 2-1 victory over Austria in Oslo, thanks to Haaland’s decisive goal 10 minutes from time. Felix Myhre had given Norway the lead early on, but Marcel Sabitzer equalized for Austria before halftime. Haaland, who failed to score in Norway’s 0-0 draw with Kazakhstan, muscled past a defender to fire in the winner, which was confirmed after a VAR review.

In the same group, Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig scored a hat-trick as Slovenia beat Kazakhstan 3-0 in Ljubljana.

Meanwhile, in Group B4, Wales secured their first win under new coach Craig Bellamy, beating Montenegro 2-1 away. Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson scored within the opening three minutes, with Driton Camaj pulling one back for Montenegro.

Elsewhere, Turkey triumphed 3-1 against Iceland in Izmir, with Benfica’s Kerem Akturkoglu netting a hat-trick.

In League C, both Romania and Kosovo also picked up victories.