OSLO, Sep 2: Erling Haaland spoiled Louis van Gaal’s return as Netherlands coach on Wednesday, scoring the opening goal as Norway held the Dutch to a 1-1 draw in World Cup qualification Group G. Haaland’s 20th-minute strike was canceled out by Netherlands midfielder Davy Klaassen at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium.
In Istanbul, Risto Radunovic scored an equalizer deep in second-half stoppage time as Montenegro recovered from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 with Group G leader Turkey.
Turkey remained on top of Group G after four matches, while the draw in Oslo left the Netherlands one point adrift in second, ahead of Montenegro and Norway on goal difference. Latvia beat Gibraltar 3-1 in the group’s other match.
Haaland controlled a high ball, held off a Van Dijk challenge and poked the ball past Bijlow to give Norway the lead. It was the Borussia Dortmund striker’s eighth goal in just his 13th international match.
The Netherlands pushed forward throughout the first half and was rewarded in the 36th minute when Klaassen bundled the ball into the net after a low cross by Georginio Wijnaldum.
Haaland came close to restoring the Norway lead in the 66th minute when he again beat the Dutch defense to run onto a through ball by Martin Odegaard but hit the post with a curling left-foot shot. (AP)
