Italy made it two wins from two Nations League matches and France earned their first victory of the campaign as the second round of games continued across Europe on Monday.
Goals by Davide Fratessi and Moise Kean meant the Azzurri followed up their dazzling 3-1 triumph in Paris on Friday with a 2-1 win over Israel in Budapest.
Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani scored as France beat Belgium 2-0 in Lyon for their first win over 90 minutes in four matches.
In-form Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scored the winner as Norway beat Austria 2-1 at home, while Kosovo, Turkey, Wales, Romania and Slovenia all took three points.
On the scoresheet ✅#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/QjJr2Gk9kk
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) September 9, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 France vs Belgium: Bleus off the mark
- 2 Israel vs Italy: Azzurri perfect
- 3 Norway vs Austria: Haaland decisive
- 4 Montenegro vs Wales: Early goals settle game
- 5 Turkey vs Iceland: Akturkoglu hat-trick
- 6 Slovenia vs Kazakhstan: Sesko scores three
- 7 Romania vs Lithuania: Tricolorii win again
- 8 Cyprus vs Kosovo: Two goals for Muriqi
France vs Belgium: Bleus off the mark
France could have been forgiven for being a little bruised by that defeat to Italy, when they were well beaten despite going ahead after 13 seconds.
Belgium were the last team they beat in regular time, doing so in the round of 16 at Euro 2024. They repeated the trick this time through Kolo Muani’s close-range opener after 29 minutes and Dembele’s finish to make it 2-0 following a flowing move after the break.
Israel vs Italy: Azzurri perfect
After exiting Euro 2024 at the round of 16 stage, Italy’s return to form at the start of the Nations League continued with victory against an Israel side beaten 3-1 by Belgium.
Frattesi chested in Federico Dimarco’s cross for his second goal in two games after 38 minutes. Kean swept in the second with 28 minutes left before Abu Fani’s 90th-minute reply for Israel to make it 2-1.
Let’s goooooooo 😎#ISRITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurropic.twitter.com/0RaH1Y6jt8
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) September 9, 2024
Norway vs Austria: Haaland decisive
The nature of Haaland’s goal was no surprise to anyone who has seen him score seven times in three Premier League games this season, showing sharp control inside the Austria penalty area before turning to slot in with 10 minutes remaining.
Felix Myhre gave Norway a ninth-minute lead in their 2-1 win, with Marcel Sabitzer equalising for Austria eight minutes from half-time.
Montenegro vs Wales: Early goals settle game
Wales made a lightning start in Montenegro, where Kieffer Moore struck after 37 seconds to put new manager Craig Bellamy on course for his first win.
Harry Wilson doubled the visitors’ lead from 25 yards in the third minute. In torrential conditions, Driton Camaj replied 17 minutes from time as Montenegro lost 2-1.
Scoring screamers in the rain 😲@harrywilson_ #NationsLeague | #TogetherStronger
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) September 9, 2024
Turkey vs Iceland: Akturkoglu hat-trick
Kerem Akturkoglu scored a hat-trick as the hosts reached four points in style with a 3-1 victory against Iceland in Izmir.
After Akturkoglu’s second-minute opener, Victor Palsson equalised eight minutes before the break. The Turkey winger netted again in the 52nd minute and completed his treble with two minutes remaining.
Slovenia vs Kazakhstan: Sesko scores three
RB Leipzig prodigy Benjamin Sesko scored a hat-trick as Slovenia added to the point they gained against Austria by beating Kazakhstan 3-0.
The result in Ljubljana brought an end to the hosts’ run of six draws over 90 minutes and took their unbeaten run in regular time to 12 matches, five of which they have won.
#SVNKAZ | 3:0 | ⏹️ Konec tekme in odlična zmaga Slovenije v Stožicah! #SrceBije 🇸🇮 #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/CplV87ZAZ0
— NZS | FA Slovenia (@nzs_si) September 9, 2024
Romania vs Lithuania: Tricolorii win again
Two goals after the 86th minute ensured Romania are the only team with a flawless record after two matches in Group C2.
Valentin Mihaila gave the hosts the lead after four minutes, only for Armandas Kucys to equalise 30 minutes later. Razvan Marin’s penalty and Ionut Mitrita’s 92nd-minute goal made it 3-1.
Cyprus vs Kosovo: Two goals for Muriqi
Kosovo’s first win of their campaign was helped considerably by two goals inside the opening 21 minutes from Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi.
Albion Rrahmani added another three minutes after half-time and Lumbardh Dellova scored the final goal of their 4-0 victory seven minutes later.
