Erling Haaland has 65 goals in 57 international appearances, and on Thursday evening he could add to that tally. Norway face Wales at Cardiff City Stadium at 20.45, three days after their 2–1 defeat to Portugal at Ullevaal. Taking points in Cardiff would keep Norway in touch at the top of their Nations League group.
Portugal lead the group with six points from two matches. Norway and Denmark have three, while Wales have no points after defeats to both Portugal and Denmark, according to the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
Nordic record against Denmark
The autumn began in historic fashion. Norway beat Denmark 3–2 at Ullevaal on 24 September to claim their first competitive victory over the Danes, VG reports. Oscar Bobb gave Norway the lead, Haaland scored twice, and Martin Ødegaard set up both Bobb's goal and Haaland's winner, according to beIN Sports.
With goals number 63 and 64, Haaland overtook Zlatan Ibrahimović to become the Nordic countries' leading international goalscorer. Ødegaard was more concerned with the result.
First and foremost, it is important to start with a win at this level.
Martin Ødegaard after the Denmark match
Haaland continued his scoring run against Portugal three days later. After an Ødegaard free-kick was parried, Patrick Berg laid the ball off to him, and Haaland made it 1–0 from close range after 51 minutes. Two minutes later, Gonçalo Ramos lobbed in the equaliser following a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, and Portugal won 2–1. It was Haaland's 22nd Nations League goal, in a competition in which he was already the leading scorer, according to Yahoo Sports' match report.
The Norwegians in the Premier League
For Haaland, the autumn internationals are a continuation of a strong start at club level. He has scored five goals in five league matches for Manchester City, who top the table after five straight wins. After the break, they face Liverpool away on 11 October.
Ødegaard captains both Norway and Arsenal, who are second in the Premier League. Bobb, who moved from City to Fulham in January, scored against Denmark but was on the bench against Portugal. Life at his club is tougher: Fulham are second from bottom in the Premier League with two points.
David Møller Wolfe is available again after serving his suspension for the red card against Denmark. According to Sports Mole, Wales must cope without Leeds players Harry Wilson and Joe Rodon, among others, both of whom are on the Premier League's injury list.
Norway then play in Portugal on Sunday 4 October, before the players return to their clubs.