Key events
Germany 0-0 Norway: Coming on as part of a double substitution, here’s Florian Wirtz, back in the bosom of his home country.
Peter Oh gets in touch: “
I see the Jürgen Klopp era of the Germany national team as more of an odyssey than a revolution, and I’m not saying that just because they’re playing Greece today.”
Updated at 16.11 EDT
Goal ruled out – still Norway 1-2 Portugal
Here comes VAR in the Norway v Portugal game. Was someone offside? It came from a Costa kick from the back. Nyland may get away with this. A very long wait as it’s a tight call. Ruled out, and Nyland breathes easier.
Updated at 16.09 EDT
Ramos has the ball in the net again.
Nyland drops another rick, charging out, and robbed by Ramos, who taps home. Ronaldo’s replacement has scored twice. Awkward.
Updated at 16.09 EDT
Germany 0-0 Greece: The German push for a goal continues but it’s all a bit flat in Augsburg.
Norway 1-2 Portugal: As that goal is celebrated, on come Vitinha and Rafael Leao. Such talent in the squad. Ronaldo is not yet warming up. He has 21 goals to go to make it 1000, remember. He certainly hasn’t forgotten. Ramos meanwhile hits the post as Leao’s shot is deflected off the bar. Norway have gone to pieces all of a sudden.
ShareGoal! Norway 1-2 Portugal (Ramos, 55)
Just as it seems Norway are overriding their opponents, Nyland, their keeper, drops a clanger, and Ramos chips the ball right back over.
Goncalo Ramos of Portugal celebrates scoring his team’s second goal. Photograph: Boris Streubel/UEFA/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 16.09 EDT
Norway 1-1 Portugal: That’s the 22nd Nations League goal for Haaland, he’s the competition’s all-time leading scorer. His 65th goal in 57 internationals.
ShareGoal! Norway 1-1 Portugal (Haaland, 51)
Palhinha is booked for pulling down Ryerson, which means it’s time for a free-kick from Odegaard on the edge of the area. There’s a long wait but the shot is low, and Diego Costa can only tip the ball to Berg, who nods down and Haaland taps in.
Erling Haaland of Norway scores his team’s first goal past Diogo Costa of Portugal. Photograph: Boris Streubel/UEFA/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 16.08 EDT
Israel 0-3 Ireland: Peretz, the half-time sub, forces a fine save from Kelleher in Ireland’s goal. The best piece of Israeli play yet. And Kelleher is soon after called upon to make another save.
Updated at 15.56 EDT
Norway 0-1 Portugal: Concecaio comes back on, and so there’s no need yet for either Rafael Leao or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Germany 0-0 Greece: Germany resume their push for an opener.
Israel 0-3 Ireland: The game in Debrecen is first to resume, with Israel pushing on, trying their best to get back into a match that may already beyond reach. Solomon has handed on the captain’s armband, it seems, presumably for Dor Peretz, who came on at half-time.
Updated at 15.52 EDT
Back underway for the second halves in the Nations League.
Worth noting that Dara O’Shea, the Ireland captain, did not shake the hand of Manor Solomon, the Israel captain, in the prelims. The teams meet again next Sunday.
Report on Wales’ defeat to Denmark.
double quotation markWales lost Thursday’s opener to Portugal 1-0 and Sunday’s result leaves them already facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation from Group A4. Denmark were under similar pressure after being beaten 3-2 by Norway on Thursday, but rose to the occasion and should have won more comfortably.
Charles Antaki gets in touch: “To echo the sentiments already expressed by your correspondents, the authorities – both Israeli and Irish – may begin to regret the game going ahead; every goal, every battle won, and every reference to the black armband is making a point amplified by the millions watching.”
ShareHalf-time: Norway 0-1 Portugal
A rejuvenated Joao Felix got the goal in a very entertaining half where Portugal were full of attacking ideas.
ShareHalf-time: Germany 0-0 Greece
The Jurgen Klopp revolution may take time. Not a great deal of quality in attack from a half Germany dominated.
ShareHalf-time: Israel 0-3 Ireland
What a half from Ireland, Jack Moylan outstanding, and scoring a fine goal.
Norway 0-1 Portugal: Concecaio is hurt, and looks likely to come off. It’s Rafael Leao rather than Ronaldo who will be coming on if the Juve man has to depart. Ronaldo looks pensive, pacing in his warm clothes.
Israel 0-3 Ireland: The Israelis are struggling to hold the ball, and their defending has been as poor as it was against Austria, where they lost 3-1 in the opener.
Norway 0-1 Portugal: Really open, entertaining game in Oslo, the home team pushing on for an equaliser, Sander Berge having a shot blocked.
Germany 0-0 Greece: Nmecha has a shot from outside the box as Germany continue to dominate but struggle to create clearcut chances.
Chris Parakevas gets in touch: “Doubtless Otto Rehhagel will be pleased with the 0-0 scoreline, though I haven’t seen him in attendance – he was present at the Real Madrid vs Werder Bremen Legends game recently, reunited with Angelos Charisteas (…the latter playing for Bremen, not Real). King Otto is 88 now, but seemed in pretty good shape.
“Earlier this week Jurgen Klopp did share a nice little story about meeting Otto: Klopp was relaxing on a beach, only to have his sun rudely blocked by a stranger…annoyed, he looked up to find it was none other than the King himself. Actually sounds like Jurgen got away with one there. Wouldn’t want to cross King Otto…”
Updated at 15.26 EDT
Israel 0-3 Ireland: Worth noting that Jack Moylan took off his black armband and kissed it after his goal. He then kissed the Ireland crest on his jersey.
Israel 0-3 Ireland: The game’s significance has little to do with the football but this has been a fine performance from Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team. He and his coaches can be heard urging on their team, who are pressing like crazy.
An Ireland fan gets in touch: “I have so much sympathy with everyone in this situation for the Ireland players, and obviously very little for Uefa, but in such a difficult and controversial match, I have huge respect for Gavin Bazunu who has taken a stand and equally those who have taken to the field and started so well. It’s possibly the worse situation you can be put into.
“To start well and deliver probably their best 30 minutes of football in HH’s reign is extremely impressive. Respect to the BIG. Hope this utterly avoidable situation doesn’t have a lasting effect for the national team or any individual.”
Updated at 15.22 EDT
Norway 0-1 Portugal: Concecaio fires wide for Portugal, who have been lively in attack. Could this be because a certain someone is missing? Or is that reading too much into things?
Tim Stappard gets in touch: “Neves is a fabulous header of the ball. I’m in Lisboa and as you hinted Ronaldo won’t go. He’s like Michael Myers.”
Germany 0-0 Greece: Another Germany chance as Karim Adeyemi speeds past Tsimikas to fire wide. A reminder that Klopp selected two different groups of players, hence Woltemade and co getting the night off.
Germany 0-0 Greece: Big smiles from Jurgen Klopp as Younes Ebnoutalib volleys just wide, though perhaps should have done better. It feels good, though strange, to see Klopp back on the sidelines.
ShareGoal! Israel 0-3 Ireland (Moylan, 25)
This is unexpected but Ireland are cutting Israel to ribbons, with Jack Moylan barrelling through to score. He’s had a fine game so far. The small band of Israel fans are booing.
Republic of Ireland’s Jack Moylan scores their third goal. Photograph: Bernadett Szabó/ReutersMoylan of Republic of Ireland, holds up his black armband towards Israeli supporters. Photograph: Ben McShane/Sportsfile/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 15.59 EDT
Norway 0-1 Portugal: Brilliant block by Ruben Dias, after Diego Costa spills the ball and Haaland is odds-on to score. The Manchester City men share a joke afterwards. They probably have a few things to discuss.
Germany 0-0 Greece: The home team are dominating, bar a couple of flourishes from Tzolis and Konstantinos Karetsas. Greece are sat deep, inviting on their opponents.
Israel 0-2 Ireland: The Irish attacks have been incisive, the Israeli defence caught cold. Much better than that drab showing against Kosovo.
Justin Kavanagh gets in touch: “With regards to Bridgid Brennan’s fine comment on Gavin Bazunu, can I add that whatever happens today, the Irish public has probably already decided who the man of the match is. And regardless of his future professional prospects or bank account balance, he will never be short of admirers in his home country, where taking a stand on principles is, thankfully, still something to be admired.”
Updated at 15.05 EDT
Goal! Norway 0-1 Portugal (Joao Felix, 17)
Lovely move, lovely goal, Mendes and Neto set up Joao Felix whose touch is gossamer and the finish just as good. That’s another Nations League goal for Felix. He plays for Al-Nassr these days.
Joao Felix of Portugal scores his team’s first goal. Photograph: Boris Streubel/UEFA/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 15.28 EDT
Goal! Israel 0-2 Ireland: (Idah, 16)
No sooner do Ireland kick off than they score again, Moylan threading the ball to Idah who slips the ball beyond Peretz.
ShareGoal! Israel 0-1 Ireland: (Parrott, 14)
It’s Troy Parrott with his 12th international goal, slid under Daniel Peretz.
Ireland’s Troy Parrott scores. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 15.27 EDT
Norway 0-0 Portugal: Joao Neves heads wide, having risen impressively for a man of his dimensions. At the other end, the Norway star power of Odegaard sets up Haaland for a chance fired wide.
Germany 0-0 Greece: Up in the stands in Augsburg is Nick Woltemade, who is clothed in civvies and seems to be having a high old time with his fellow players who are sitting this one out.
Norway 0-0 Portugal: What of Goncalo Ramos, these days of Milan, in Ronaldo’s shoes, as he filled with some success at the Qatar World Cup. Ronaldo has said he will depart when he isn’t wanted. Let’s see about that.
Israel 0-0 Ireland: It’s the Irish who start best, Jason Molumby firing wide and Moylan making a run deep into the opposing defence.
Germany 0-0 Greece: Kevin Schade, the Brentford player, is involved early on for Germany. He was not selected for the World Cup but this is a new regime.
Israel 0-0 Ireland: Jack Moylan, the Ireland player, from Cardiff, puts in a fierce tackle in the early stages in Debrecen.
ShareAway go in the Nations League
It’s Jurgen Klopp’s first home game as Germany coach, a huge battle of the giants between Norway and Portugal, and a game between Israel and Ireland that has been a long time coming, and still something of a surprise it is being played.
Jurgen Klopp, head Coach of Germany, sings the national anthem. Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 15.28 EDT
Brigid Brennan gets in touch: “I know this is a football blog but there is something that I feel really needs to be mentioned in a football context about Gavin Bazunu opting not to play against Israel. There was a suggestion that some players were worried that taking part would affect future career opportunities.
”I have some sympathy for the players who have been put in this position due to a lack of leadership from Uefa, FAI, Irish Govt and even unions like the PFA & FifPro. I hope that Gavin Bazunu’s decision is respected by even those who disagree with him but it will be interesting to see what happens him going forward.”
The Irish players had their heads bowed during the Israeli national anthem. They are all wearing black armbands.
The Republic of Ireland team, wearing black armbands in recognition for all the lives lost in the conflict in Gaza, bow their heads during the Israeli national anthem. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 14.57 EDT
Across Europe, the teams are in the tunnel though Ronaldo has already made his way to the Portuguese bench. In Debrecen, it’s empty aside from a small delegation of Israel fans.
Norway v Portugal starting lineups
Norway: Nyland, Aursnes, Heggem, Ajer, Ryerson, Berg, Berge, Ødegaard, Nusa, Haaland, Schjelderup
Portugal: Costa, Mendes, Rúben Dias, Veiga, Cancelo, Conceição, Palhinha, Neto, João Neves, Ramos, Félix
The news from that Dutch win, Xavi’s first as coach, is that Cody Gakpo was forced off with an injury just 17 minutes in.
Germany v Greece starting lineups:
Germany: Nübel – Vagnoman, Tah, Bisseck, Brown – Kimmich ©, Nmecha, Conté – Schade, Ebnoutalib, Adeyemi
Greece: Tzolakis – Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Retsos, Tsimikas – Zafeiris, Androutsos – Karetsas, Tetteh, Tzolis – Pavlidis ©
That Portugal starting lineup: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto, Palhinha; Joao Neves, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos
Ramos comes in for Ronaldo, while Joao Neves replaces an injured Bruno Fernandes.
Further teams to follow but the big news is that Portugal have benched Cristiano Ronaldo.
Israel v Ireland starting teams
Israel: D Peretz, Mizrachi, Stoyanov, Shlomo, Revivo, E Peretz, Kanichowsky, Gloukh, Khalaili, Solomon, Turgeman.
Ireland: Kelleher; Manning, Kitching, O’Shea, O’Brien, Abankwah; Molumby, Coventry; Moylan, Idah, Parrott.
Press Association snap report on that Wales defeat
Wales wilted in Copenhagen as a 2-0 defeat to Denmark left them bottom of their Nations League group.
After a first half in which Wales were very much second best and fortunate to reach the break level, Denmark’s domination was rewarded by a Ben Davies own goal and a Gustav Isaksen strike.
Wales lost Thursday’s opener to Portugal 1-0 and it leaves them without a point – and a goal – in Group A4, and already facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation.
Full-time scores from the earlier Nations League matches:
Lithuania 1-1 Azerbaijan
Austria 3-1 Kosovo
Denmark 2-0 Wales
Gibraltar 0-0 Andorra
Serbia 1-2 Netherlands
Last time out for the first of the Nations League quadruple headers.
The Israel v Ireland game comes after a day of intrigue over whether the game would be played at all.
Gavin Bazunu will not take part.
double quotation markBazunu, writing on Instagram, said: “Representing my country means everything to me. I have the utmost respect for every single one of my teammates, the manager, his staff, and the Irish people.
“However, I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly. I am a man of strong faith, and try my best to be a person of character and principle, therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.
“My decision is based purely on my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong. It is important to note that my stance is not in opposition of the Israeli people or the Jewish community, but against the atrocities in the region.
“There are a few times where you get a chance in life to stand up for something bigger, and I strongly believe that this is one of them.”
Updated at 13.40 EDT
Preamble
Good evening, and welcome to coverage of the Nations League. There’s updates, scores and news from three big matches.
Germany v Greece
Israel v Ireland
Norway v Portugal
Join me.