Erling Haaland led Norway to an impressive 11-1 victory over Moldova in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers. The Manchester City striker scored five goals during the match.
Norway is currently dominating Group I in the UEFA Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With five wins out of five games, they are well-positioned to secure a spot in the tournament.
Although several matches remain, Haaland’s outstanding performance gives fans in Oslo plenty of reasons to remain optimistic. He showcased his skills at Ullevaal Stadion, leading Norway to a decisive victory over Moldova.
Did Messi and Ronaldo ever score five goals for their countries?
Haaland’s five-goal feat is rare in soccer history. Portuguese forward Ronaldo has never scored five goals in a single match for his national team, with his best being four goals in a game against Lithuania in September 2019.
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal.
On the other hand, Messi scored five times in a friendly against Estonia in May 2022. However, it’s worth noting that Haaland’s accomplishment was in an official match.
Grown accustomed
Haaland’s five goals in Oslo marked his first such performance for Norway’s senior national team. He has, however, frequently impressed with his scoring. At the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019, he scored 9 goals in Norway’s 12-0 win over Honduras.
With Haaland on the field, Norway consistently looks capable of scoring, and often in large numbers. He has already notched 9 goals in the Qualifiers. If he and the team continue this form, they could pose a significant threat to other national teams.