Did Haaland Make History as Norway Routed Israel?
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Synopsis
Erling Haaland's remarkable achievement of 50 international goals helped Norway secure a dominant 5-0 victory over Israel, edging closer to FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification. This historic feat and other thrilling matches across Europe highlight the ongoing excitement in international football.
Key Takeaways
- Haaland's milestone of 50 goals solidifies his status as one of the top strikers.
- Norway's dominant win keeps their World Cup hopes alive.
- Impressive performances from players like Sorloth and Kelleher highlight the excitement of international football.
- Italy, Spain, and Turkey also made headlines with their respective victories.
- These matches demonstrate the intense competition in European football.
New Delhi, Oct 12 (NationPress) Erling Haaland achieved the milestone of 50 international goals as Norway surged towards qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a commanding 5-0 victory over Israel in the qualifiers.
The 25-year-old forward became just the sixth player in history to net 50 goals in under 50 caps.
The match began dramatically when Daniel Peretz saved Haaland's initial penalty kick, only to replicate the feat on the retake. However, the scoreboard lit up when an Alexander Sorloth cross inadvertently deflected off Anan Khalaili, finding the back of the net.
Haaland then extended the lead following a clever assist from Sorloth, and an own goal by Idan Nachmias pushed the score to 3-0. He made history by heading in a splendid cross from Antonio Nusa, before securing his hat-trick with another header at the back post.
In other matches, Caoimhin Kelleher made a remarkable penalty save to deny Cristiano Ronaldo from becoming the leading scorer in qualifiers. Despite Kelleher's heroics, Ruben Neves managed to score, keeping Portugal's perfect record intact.
Additionally, Italy, Spain, and Turkey also celebrated victories, while Albania triumphed in Serbia and Andorra shocked Latvia.
Italy remains in contention to catch Norway, securing a 3-1 win over Estonia. Moise Kean opened the scoring with a dazzling goal, while Francesco Esposito added the third before Rauno Sappinen netted a consolation goal for Estonia.
Spain maintained their perfect record with a 2-0 win against Georgia, with Yeremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal contributing to the scoreline.
Turkey rebounded from a previous defeat by emphatically defeating Bulgaria 6-1.
Point of View
Our commitment to delivering unbiased and comprehensive sports news is unwavering. The recent performances of Erling Haaland and the Norwegian team not only showcase their talent but also bring excitement to national pride as they pursue qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This spirit of competition is what unites fans and nations alike.
NationPress
12/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Erling Haaland reach 50 goals?
Erling Haaland scored his 50th international goal during Norway's 5-0 victory over Israel in the World Cup qualifiers.
What does this victory mean for Norway?
This victory brings Norway closer to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Who were the standout players in the match?
Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth were key players, with Haaland scoring a hat-trick and Sorloth providing assists.
What other matches took place during the qualifiers?
Italy, Spain, and Turkey also recorded significant victories, with Italy winning against Estonia and Spain defeating Georgia.
What was significant about Caoimhin Kelleher's performance?
Caoimhin Kelleher made a remarkable penalty save against Cristiano Ronaldo, showcasing his skills in goal.
