KEY POINTS
- England thrash Ireland 5-0 to secure promotion.
- Haaland’s hat-trick drives Norway to top their group.
- Multiple players net first international goals for England.
England delivered a commanding performance at Wembley, dismantling a 10-man Republic of Ireland 5-0 to earn promotion to the Nations League’s top tier. The match marked Lee Carsley’s final game as interim manager before Thomas Tuchel’s arrival.
Despite a sluggish start, England broke through in the second half after Liam Scales received a second yellow card for fouling Jude Bellingham in the box. Harry Kane confidently converted the resulting penalty. Four other players—Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis—celebrated their first international goals, showcasing the team’s depth and potential.
The victory capped a stellar campaign, with England topping Group B2 ahead of Greece, who defeated Finland 2-0 but must now rely on the playoffs for a chance at promotion.
Haaland’s hat-trick powers Norway to the top
Erling Haaland once again proved unstoppable, leading Norway to a dominant 5-0 win over Kazakhstan. The Manchester City striker scored a hat-trick, taking his international tally to 39 goals in just 42 appearances.
According to a report by The Punch, Haaland opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on a rebound. His second came shortly after, a precise header into the net. The 24-year-old completed his treble in the second half with a clinical finish from the edge of the box.
Antonio Nusa also starred for Norway, scoring twice, including a late goal that cemented their promotion to League A. Austria, Norway’s closest rivals, faltered with a 1-1 draw against Slovenia, sealing Norway’s top spot in Group B3.
Key moments from England and Norway’s decisive victories
England’s clash with Ireland started cautiously, with Noni Madueke twice testing Ireland’s defense in the first half. However, the momentum shifted when Scales fouled Bellingham, reducing Ireland to 10 men. Kane’s penalty set the stage for a flurry of goals.
Anthony Gordon, assisted by Tino Livramento, volleyed home to double England’s lead, while Gallagher tapped in a third moments later. Bowen’s goal came seconds after he entered as a substitute, and Harwood-Bellis capped the rout with a towering header.
In Oslo, Haaland’s brilliance was on full display. Norway surged ahead in the first half with goals from Haaland and Nusa. Haaland completed his fourth international hat-trick with a stunning strike, while Nusa added his second to underline Norway’s dominance.
Both England and Norway can now look forward to tougher competition in League A, with their sights set on further success in the Nations League.
These emphatic wins underscore their ambitions and the rising stars shaping their futures.
