Hat-trick hero Haaland and fellow Norwegian star Odegaard indulge in mutual praise

 Hat-trick hero Haaland and fellow Norwegian star Odegaard indulge in mutual praise

Italy missed the opportunity to take a commanding lead at the top of Nations League Group A1 as an inability to finish off chances saw them held to a 0-0 draw by Poland in Gdansk on Sunday.

Roberto Mancini's men extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches across all competitions, though they will be frustrated that they were unable to go three points clear of the Netherlands given the quality of their openings.

Italy posed the greater threat throughout but were particularly wasteful in the first half, with Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini spurning two glorious opportunities in an entertaining opening 45 minutes.

Poland managed to tighten up a little in the second period, though they again had a let-off when Emerson Palmieri headed agonisingly wide and that proved to be Italy's last clear-cut chance.

Italy enjoyed a positive start and should have consolidated their position in the ascendancy by taking an 11th-minute lead, but Chiesa inexplicably shot over from close range after meeting Andrea Belotti's inch-perfect cross.

Poland sprang to life at the other end shortly after. Robert Lewandowski's left-wing delivery looked sure to be turned in by Kamil Jozwiak, only for Emerson to clear the danger in the nick of time.

The hosts had another fortunate escape 10 minutes before the interval as a low cross from the right found its way through to Pellegrini in the centre of the box, but he could not get enough on the ball and Lukasz Fabianski gathered gratefully.

Poland began the second period brightly and went close through Jakub Moder – his fierce effort from a tricky angle just outside the area forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into a necessary save.

Italy remained the dominant force, though Poland became even tougher to break down.

Nevertheless, the visitors did work another glorious opening just past the hour, as Emerson met Chiesa's cross and failed to hit the target with his header.

Poland almost nicked the three points right at the end, but Karol Linetty slammed into the side-netting after being teed up by Grzegorz Krychowiak.

What does it mean? Azzurri their own worst enemies

On the whole, there was much to like about Italy's performance. Their shot count of 17 was far superior to the hosts' four, while they had 61 per cent of the ball.

The issue was their finishing – just two shots hit the target, while they passed up three wonderful opportunities to open the scoring.

Victory would have given them an extremely healthy three-point lead over the Dutch, whom they face next.

Verratti in control

Marco Verratti's commanding midfield performances are no new phenomenon, but they are always a joy to behold. Once again he was a cut above for Italy here, on and off the ball.

In possession he attempted (96) and completed (84) more passes than anyone else on the pitch, with 60 played in the attacking half, while he made a team-high four tackles and 12 recoveries.

A rare quiet day for Lewandowski

It would be harsh to be too critical of Lewandowski's display given the service to him was not great, but Poland were by no means playing with 11 men behind the ball. The Bayern Munich striker was unable to inspire here, failing to register a single shot while only Sebastian Szymanski (22) had fewer touches than Lewandowski (32) of the hosts' starting line-up.

What's next?

Both teams are in Nations League action again on Wednesday, with Italy hosting the Netherlands and Poland welcoming Bosnia-Herzegovina in Wroclaw.

Erling Haaland continued his stunning goalscoring form with a hat-trick in Norway's 4-0 win over Romania but was quick to praise team-mate Martin Odegaard, warning there is much more to come from the young duo.

Lars Lagerback's side bounced back from their Euro 2020 play-off loss to Serbia on Thursday with a resounding Nations League triumph, with Haaland the star of the show.

The Borussia Dortmund striker has scored 17 goals in 18 Bundesliga appearances and now has six in as many outings on the international stage.

Two of the 20-year-old's goals on Sunday were assisted by Odegaard, who is just a year older, and Haaland was keen to share the credit.

"I just have to pay tribute to him a little. Finally he came to his senses and played the ball to me," he joked after interrupting Odegaard's interview with TV2, with the Real Madrid midfielder suggesting he could share the match ball.

"Yes, I can simply split it in two," added Haaland.

"It's nice to play with Odegaard. It will only get better in the years to come. We are still young."

Odegaard revealed what a luxury it is to play with Haaland, who has perfected the timing of his runs to make the most of any passes in behind.

"We know that it's just [a case of] getting the ball in behind," said Odegaard.

"He starts perfectly every time and almost never goes offside. He times it well and always gets there first."

Coach Lagerback was also quick to join in with the praise, adding of Haaland: "He is still very young.

"It's unfair to compare players, but I've never had a striker who has been as far ahead as him.

"He holds a high international class. But if you wait a little longer, I will compare with other players."

England 2-1 Belgium: Mount's deflected strike inflicts rare defeat on Red Devils

Mason Mount's deflected strike earned England a 2-1 Nations League victory over a Belgium side who suffered defeat for the first time in almost two years.

Belgium beat England twice at the 2018 World Cup and were ahead after 15 minutes at Wembley through Romelu Lukaku's penalty, awarded when the Inter forward was brought down by Eric Dier.

It was the first goal Gareth Southgate's side had conceded in a year but they drew level before the interval, Thomas Meunier conceding a soft spot-kick from which Marcus Rashford scored.

Having spent much of the first half on the back foot, England looked reinvigorated for the second period and got their reward when Mount's shot looped off Toby Alderweireld and beyond Simon Mignolet's reach, as the world's top-ranked footballing nation were beaten for the first time since November 2018.

Yannick Carrasco lashed home what appeared to be an 11th-minute opener, but Timothy Castagne was adjudged offside in a position that was obstructing the view of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The hosts were looking to keep a seventh consecutive clean sheet, which would have constituted an England record, but those hopes were scuppered when Dier felled Lukaku in the box and the forward picked himself up to convert the spot-kick.

Lukaku produced a dominant display that summed up Belgium's early control of the contest, with England struggling to get a foot on the ball or lay a finger on the former Manchester United star.

But Southgate's side were handed a route back into the match when Jordan Henderson went down under minimal contact from Meunier and Rashford confidently fired home from 12 yards.

Belgium saw a 12-game winning run halted with Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Ivory Coast, while England were seeking a 20th win from 21 home matches, ensuring neither side was likely to willingly budge an inch in the second half.

It was England who started the period with a greater purpose but it took until the 64th minute for the next goal to arrive, Mount's shot ricocheting off Alderweireld and over Mignolet.

Roberto Martinez's men tried to force the issue inside the final 20 minutes, with Carrasco stabbing narrowly wide and Lukaku thwarted soon after, while substitute Harry Kane missed an excellent headed chance at the other end.

What does it mean? England grind it out

On paper, England's starting line-up appeared to lack a creative edge and that was borne out in a first-half display in which the hosts produced just two shots.

But the Three Lions stuck at their task, stayed in the contest and ensured their organisation and rigid shape were strengths rather than hindrances.

Belgium's own creative talents failed to create a goal from open play, which will be a source of huge pride for Southgate, whose side top Group A2.

Mason Mount's spirited recovery

Chelsea midfielder Mount was a peripheral figure in the first half, but his display mirrored that of the wider England team.

He grew in confidence after the break and went on to get the winner, but perhaps more impressively he compared favourably with Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne.

His pass success of 77.8 per cent was better than the Manchester City star managed (77 per cent), and his accuracy in the final third was far better - with 75 per cent versus De Bruyne's 64.

Maguire back in the fold

Putting off-field matters to one side, and even shrugging off Manchester United's woes, Harry Maguire returned to England's defence with an assured outing.

He recorded the highest total of passes (85) and passes completed (81) of all England's players, adding four recoveries to boot.

What's next?

England host Denmark on Wednesday, having been held to a 0-0 draw in Copenhagen, while Belgium head to Iceland after thrashing the same opposition 5-1 on home soil.

Five Ireland players to miss Wales clash due to positive COVID-19 test

Five Republic of Ireland players will miss Sunday's Nations League clash with Wales after an unnamed player tested positive for coronavirus.

Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah were forced to miss the Euro 2020 playoff encounter with Slovakia on Thursday as they were deemed to have been in close contact with a member of staff who tested positive for COVID-19.

The FAI announced ahead of the Group B4 showdown with Wales that a member of Stephen Kenny's squad returned a positive test on Friday.

Another four players will not face Ryan Giggs' side due to having close contact with the individual who tested positive.

The FAI also revealed that the member of the backroom team who tested positive for COVID-19 in Bratislava on Wednesday may have received a 'false positive' result.

Two further tests carried out on that individual came back as negative and the FAI will discuss the issue with UEFA.

Ireland boss Kenny will review his options for a Nations League match against Finland on Wednesday following the meeting with Wales.