Norway striker Erling Haaland reached another milestone in his remarkable international career, scoring his 50th goal for his country during a commanding 5-0 victory over Israel. The Manchester City forward’s achievement came through a powerful header from Antonio Nusa’s left-wing cross, driving the ball into the bottom right corner to put Norway ahead 4-0 by the 63rd minute.
Haaland completed his hat-trick just nine minutes later, adding Norway’s fifth goal and maintaining his perfect record in World Cup qualifying. With six wins from six qualifiers, Norway is on track to qualify for their fourth World Cup and their first since 1998—two years before Haaland’s birth.
The 24-year-old striker leads the UEFA World Cup qualifiers with 12 goals in six matches, nearly double that of Memphis Depay from the Netherlands, who has seven. Currently at the peak of his form, Haaland has scored 21 goals for club and country this season, with Ali Daei’s record of 109 international goals clearly in his sights.
Few would bet against Haaland breaking that record, potentially before he turns 30. His remarkable scoring rate and Norway’s strong qualifying campaign position him perfectly to challenge one of football’s most prestigious individual records. Haaland is set to face New Zealand next on Tuesday, providing another opportunity to add to his tally.
The striker’s dominance extends beyond just goal-scoring statistics. His presence has transformed Norway’s attacking dynamics, with the team averaging over four goals per game in qualifying matches. This represents a significant improvement from previous campaigns and highlights Haaland’s impact on the national team’s fortunes.
