Key events
Norway 1-2 Portugal: Just the game in Oslo to finish now, one that Portugal seem likely to see out.
Full-time: Germany 0-1 Greece
A Wirtz pass that runs out of play ends the affair. A famous win for Greece, a highly disappointing night for the Germans. Jurgen Klopp has one point from two matches in charge.
Germany 0-1 Greece: Into added time in Augsburg, and there seems little hope of a way back for the Klopp team. The ball is pumped in by Kimmich before Behrens spoons the ball back to the Greek goalkeeper.
Full-time: Israel 0-3 Ireland
The second half barely mattered, the game itself was a sideline to far wider issues in itself, and there are no handshakes between the teams at the final whistle. Both of them stay apart, the Irish exchanging high-fives, the Israelis showing their disappointment.
Germany 0-1 Greece: Wirtz cuts a miserable figure as another move breaks down. This is not happening for Germany. Jurgen Klopp’s doctrines may take some time to take. Does he have that time?
Norway 1-2 Portugal: Another sub coming on, and it’s Bernardo Silva to shore up the midfield.
Germany 0-1 Greece: Alan Cunningham gets in touch: “The people seen leaving the stadium in Augsburg were actually the other half of Klopp’s 44-man squad – ARD is reporting they had to catch the bus back to the team base…”
Norway 1-2 Portugal: Another Portuguese attacker comes on but it won’t be Ronaldo, it will be Trincao, these days of Al Ahli, once of Barcelona and Wolves. Diogo Costa has not had much to do since the Norway goal. Srrand Larsen, another once of Wolves, is on for the home team.
Germany 0-1 Greece: Krishna gets in touch: “A second Greece goal looks more likely than an equalizer.”
Israel 0-3 Ireland: The game in Debrecen kicked off its second half far earlier so it’s entering its closing stages, with five minutes to play. Little has happened in the second half following that excellent first half for the Irish.
Germany 0-1 Greece: Gnabry, off the left, shoots on goal but he can’t test the Greek keeper. Greece have been lively in attack, though Tzolis, who had a key role in the goal, departs the scene.
Norway 1-2 Portugal: Vitinha is booked as Portugal come under Norwegian pressure. Still no sign of Ronaldo.
Germany 0-1 Greece: Chris Paraskevas gets in touch: “I might have just woken up the neighbours. Not sure they’ll be as sprightly if Greece hold on. JUST HOLD ON!”
A few German fans have started heading out. The Greece fans are making all the noise.
Germany 0-1 Greece: On comes Serge Gnabry for Germany. This night is escaping the new regime. The first win under Klopp is snaking beyond his grasp. Greece meanwhile will top their League A group if this stays the same.
Goal! Germany 0-1 Greece (Kourbelis, 74)
Oh wow, they’ve been threatening, having weathered the storm. Tzolis’s attack sets up Kourbelis, whose shot comes off a German heel and goes in. Not good news for Jurgen Klopp.
Norway 1-2 Portugal: Ramos and Dias smash into each other in defending a corner. Norway have resumed pushing back into the game after Nyland’s errors almost cost them. There’s a collective drawing of breath as the ball is played into the keeper’s path.
Israel 0-3 Ireland: Not much happening in Debrecen, though the Irish will be desperate to see this one out. Losing this game after letting it slip would add insult to the injury of a testing few days for the Irish players.
Germany 0-0 Greece: Oh my, what a miss. Kimmich makes horrible mistake, and Pavlidis escapes, lays up Fotis Ioannidis, who fires wide. Comedy all round.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Goal! 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.
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.
Goal! 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.
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.
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.
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.
Wales 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.”
Half-time: Norway 0-1 Portugal
A rejuvenated Joao Felix got the goal in a very entertaining half where Portugal were full of attacking ideas.
Half-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.
Half-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…”
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.”
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.”
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