Erling Haaland scored five goals and provided two assists in a record-tying 11-1 victory for Norway over Moldova, significantly boosting their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Erling Haaland scores FIVE as Norway put ELEVEN past Moldova 😳 pic.twitter.com/SY5GtA1iZc
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 9, 2025
OSLO – Erling Haaland delivered a breathtaking, five-goal masterclass to power Norway to an 11-1 victory over Moldova and edge the nation closer to its first World Cup appearance in 27 years.
The Manchester City striker was unstoppable from the outset, setting up Felix Horn Myhre after just six minutes before netting a first-half hat-trick within a devastating 32-minute spell at Ullevaal Stadion. He added two more in the second half, taking his qualifying goal tally to a tournament-leading nine.
“He was in supreme form,” one observer noted, as Haaland recorded a five-goal haul for his country for the first time. Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard was a key architect, providing two assists before scoring himself to make it 5-0 before the break. The rout continued with Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard coming off the bench to score four second-half goals.
A Leo ØstigÃ¥rd own goal consigned Norway to conceding a late consolation, but the historic victory moved Stale Solbakken’s side six points clear at the top of Group I. The result equalled the record for the highest winning margin in a European World Cup qualifying match.
Norway, unbeaten in five qualifiers, has not featured at a major tournament since Euro 2000. With a potential group decider in Italy looming in November, Haaland’s heroics have the nation on the cusp of ending a long wait.