Stefano Sensi’s equalizer keeps Italy’s unbeaten run in tact against Bosnia and Herzegovina – but at expense of winning streak
Erling Haaland netted his first international goal for Norway in their 2-1 defeat by Austria while Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia ended Italy’s run of 11 successive wins when they held Roberto Mancini’s side to a 1-1 draw in their Nations League match.
Edin Dzeko put the visitors in front when he fired into the roof of the net with a shot on the turn from a corner in the 57th minute in their League Group.
Stefano Sensi equalized 10 minutes later with a deflected shot after Lorenzo Insigne pulled the ball back.
Italy, playing their first match since beating Armenia 9-1 last November, won all 10 of their qualifying matches for Euro 2020 as well as a friendly against the United States for the longest winning run in their history.
From the home nations, Scotland were held to a 1-1 draw by Israel at Hampden Park
10-man Northern Ireland earned a spirited 1-1 draw in Romania courtesy of Gavin Whyte’s late leveler.
Netherlands and Tottenham forward Steven Bergwijn scored just past the hour mark to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win over Poland in their opening Nations League clash as heavy home pressure finally paid dividends at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
The Dutch, runners-up in last year’s inaugural edition of the competition, were playing their first game since the departure of coach Ronald Koeman to Barcelona last month but kept up their crisp performances of the last two years.
Bergwijn tapped the ball home in the 61st minute after a characteristic sweeping move from the Netherlands, playing under interim coach Dwight Lodeweges in their League A Group 1 match.
Frenkie de Jong’s sweeping ball and Hans Hateboer’s assist gave Tottenham’s Bergwijn the simple task of finishing from close range to score his first international goal.
Haaland’s first international goal halved the deficit as Norway fell to a 2-1 defeat to Austria in Oslo.
The visitors had taken a comfortable lead through goals from Michael Gregoritsch and a Marcel Sabitzer penalty either side of half-time, before Haaland struck with 24 minutes remaining, but couldn’t provide a breakthrough for an equalizer for the hosts.
Elsewhere, Czech Republic strolled to a 3-1 victory in Slovakia thanks to goals from Berat Djimsiti, Borek Dockal and Michael Krmencik before Ivan Schranz netted a late consolation.
Albania won 2-0 in Belarus, as did Kazakhstan in Lithuania.
