Around the Premier League: Euro Qualifiers Edition

Around the Premier League: Euro Qualifiers Edition

With the international break for the 2024 European Qualifiers, the Premier League had no matches scheduled this past week. However, this halt in matchplay allowed the Premier League’s top players to showcase their skills on an international level.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City representing Norway, Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool representing the Netherlands and Harry Wilson of Fulham representing Wales were amongst the top performers.

Let’s dive into these top international performances from soccer’s top league.

Haaland strikes twice to lift Norway over Cyprus.

Norway’s battle to return to European competition continued when they traveled to take on Cyprus.

Both sides had some excellent chances early, but it would be Norway who would convert first.

In the 33rd minute, Alexander Sørloth sent a superlative left-footed strike from outside the box into the top right corner to make it 1-0.

Norway continued to press offensively but could not find that insurance marker until Haaland came to life.

In the 65th minute, Fredrik Aursnes sent a cross into the box that fell to Haaland, and the 23-year-old quickly turned around before converting a left-footed shot to double Norway’s lead.

Seven minutes later, Haaland struck again. This time, Antonio Nusa swung a cross toward the far post that Haaland headed in for his second goal of the match.

Fredrik Aursnes would add to Norway’s lead in the 81st minute to wrap up a dominant 4-0 victory.

Van Dijk’s late penalty leads the Netherlands over Greece.

Greece hosted the Netherlands in a battle between two countries looking to claim the final spot from Group B, with France already securing their place.

The goalkeepers stole the show throughout the match and stymied the limited opportunities from each side, but just when the game seemed destined to end scoreless, van Dijk struck.

In the 89th minute, Denzel Dumfries got taken down in the box, and after a VAR review, the Netherlands received a penalty kick.

Van Dijk stepped to the spot and blasted a shot into the top right corner to give the red, white and blue a lead they would never relinquish.

With the victory, the Netherlands now sits second in Group B, with a game in hand over third-place Greece.

Wilson’s brace helps Wales stun Croatia.

Wales hosted Croatia in a crucial Group D clash.

After a quiet first half where both side's offensive opportunities were limited, Wilson broke the deadlock just as the second half began.

In the 47th minute, David Brooks sent a through ball to Wilson, who sent a first-touch chip past Dominik Livakovic and in.

13 minutes later, Wilson would strike again—this time with a deft flick off of a Daniel James cross.

Croatia would cut their deficit to one with a 75th-minute header from Mario Pasalic, but

Danny Ward thwarted the remainder of Croatia’s attacking chances.

With the victory, Wales leapfrogged Croatia in Group D standings and now sits six points back of first-place Turkey with a game in hand.

Ben Palillo is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.