Haaland Fires Hat-Trick as Norway Crush Israel, Close In on First World Cup Since 1998
Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick to surpass 50 international goals in record time as Norway demolished Israel 5–0 on Saturday, strengthening their chances of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998.
The Manchester City striker’s treble in Oslo lifted his tally to 51 goals in 46 appearances for Norway, making him the fastest player in men’s international football to reach the 50-goal milestone.
England captain Harry Kane had previously held the record, achieving the feat in 71 games.
Norway, who last featured at a major tournament during Euro 2000, now lead Group I with a nine-point advantage over second-placed Italy.
The Italians, with two matches in hand, were scheduled to face Estonia later on Saturday.
A victory over Estonia on Tuesday would send Norway to next year’s finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—provided Italy fail to beat either Estonia or Israel in their remaining fixtures.
Haaland, who tops the European qualifying scorers’ chart with 12 goals, was at the center of the action early on.
His initial penalty was saved by Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, and even after being ordered retaken for encroachment, the keeper parried away the second attempt.
Norway eventually broke through in the 18th minute when Israel’s Anan Khalaili deflected the ball into his own net.
Haaland soon doubled the lead, scoring in his ninth consecutive international match, before another defensive error saw Peretz’s clearance rebound off Idan Nachmias and into the goal for 3–0 in the 28th minute.
Nachmias later left the field injured after colliding with the post.
Haaland completed his brace in the 63rd minute with a powerful header from Antonio Nusa’s cross, then sealed his hat-trick 18 minutes from time with another close-range header.
Before kick-off, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium, chanting “Free Palestine” to protest Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
The head of the Norwegian Football Association, Lise Klaveness, recently declared her support for sanctions against Israel.
In other qualifiers, Hungary defeated Armenia 2–0 in Group F, leaving Portugal on the verge of qualification with upcoming matches against the Republic of Ireland and Hungary.
