Nations League: Mitrovic outshines Haaland in Serbia's victory over Norway

Fulham striker extends his international goal tally record in 2-0 win as Serbia gain promotion

Serbia's Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after scoring to 0-2 during the Nations League soccer match between Norway and Serbia at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, Tuesday Sept. 27, 2022. (Javad Parsa / NTB Scanpix via AP)

Aleksandar Mitrovic scores Serbia's second goal against Norway. EPA

Serbia's players celebrate in front of their supporters after Aleksandar Mitrovic scores against Norway. AFP

Aleksandar Mitrovic plays a pass during Serbia's match against Norway. Reuters

Dusan Vlahovic celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring for Serbia. Reuters

Dusan Vlahovic celebrates with teammates after scoring Serbia's first goal. Reuters

Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saves shots from Norway striker Erling Haaland. Reuters

Erling Haaland reacts after missing a goalscoring chance for Norway. EPA

Erling Haaland competes for a header during Norway's match against Serbia. EPA

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic punches a cross during Serbia's Nations League match against Norway. EPA

In a battle of the in-form Premier League strikers, it was Aleksandar Mitrovic who came out on top against Erling Haaland on Tuesday as Serbia defeated Norway 2-0 to top Nations League B Group 4 and gain promotion to League A.

Serbia finished the campaign on 13 points from six games, three ahead of second-placed Norway, who would have won the group with a draw. Slovenia finished third on six points, with bottom side Sweden relegated to League C on four points.

Manchester City's Haaland almost got the home side off to a perfect start but his first-time shot after 20 seconds was brilliantly saved by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, setting the tone for a frustrating evening for the striker.

Dusan Vlahovic gave the visitors the lead in the 42nd minute when Filip Kostic pulled the ball back and the striker fired it through a thicket of legs into the net.

Fulham's Mitrovic, already Serbia's record scorer and behind only Haaland in the Premier League scoring charts this season, doubled his side's advantage nine minutes into the second half with a typically precise finish from Ivan Ilic's pass, and he almost netted a second with a header in the 76th minute.

Roared on by a packed Ullevaal Stadium, Norway did their best but lacked the guile to break down Serbia until Haaland had another chance late on, but once again Milinkovic-Savic thwarted him.

Serbia will now meet Bahrain in one final friendly before going on to face Brazil, Cameroon, and Switzerland in Group G at the World Cup in Qatar, which Norway missed out on qualifying for.

"We took control of the game and deserved to win. We've got a healthy group here who breathe as a team should," Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic told Arenasport.

Goalscorer Vlahovic said his side were pleased with promotion and were now looking forward to more success.

"We're delighted to be in the top tier. We are thriving under Stojkovic and his attacking style," he said.