Haaland’s record-breaking night lights up Oslo
Erling Haaland moved into the history books once again as he became the fastest player to reach 50 international goals for Norway, ending the night with a hat-trick that propelled his side to a dominant 5-0 victory over Israel in a World Cup qualifier at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo. The Norwegian forward, who has been in sensational form for Manchester City, needed just 46 games to reach the milestone, and he added a header and a precise finish to his tally, underscoring why he is widely regarded as one of the world’s top attackers.
Pro-Palestinian protests take place outside, match proceeds in a controlled atmosphere
Before kickoff, hundreds gathered near the stadium in a pro-Palestinian demonstration, chanting “Free Palestine” as part of ongoing protests over the Gaza situation. Police dispersed the crowd with tear gas and made several arrests, allowing the match to proceed behind tightly arranged security. Inside the venue, several dozen Israeli fans waved their flag and carried a banner that read “Let the Ball Talk!” as a reminder of the competitive nature of football amidst global events.
Haaland’s ruthless start and Norway’s dominance
The match started with intensity and a hint of controversy. Haaland’s initial penalty was saved by Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, but a retake was ordered due to encroachment, only for Peretz to deny Haaland on the rebound again. Norway’s pressing and quick ball movement paid off in the 18th minute when Anan Khalaili’s unfortunate own goal opened the scoring. Haaland followed immediately, racing through before finishing clinically to give Norway the lead. The second goal came from a corner routine that was flicked on and accidentally poked into his own net by an Israel defender, extending Norway’s advantage.
Convincing second half seals the result
Norway didn’t let the tempo drop after the break. Haaland added his second with a powerful header from a set-piece, and minutes later nodded in to complete his sixth international hat-trick. Norway’s third goal, credited as an own goal by Idan Nachmias, came from a swift counter-attack that caught Israel out of position. The hosts continued to press in search of goals, controlling possession and rhythm as they moved to secure a comfortable win that their fans had long anticipated.
Implications for Group I and the road ahead
The result left Norway on 18 points at the top of Group I, six clear of second-placed Italy, who won 3-1 in Tallinn thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Pio Esposito. With only a handful of matches remaining, the Norwegian side is well-positioned to secure one of the playoff spots and push for a first World Cup finals appearance since 1998. For Israel, the setback complicates their chances and places pressure on their bid to stay in the top two of the group.
What’s next for the teams
Norway will travel to their next assignment with confidence, knowing they hold the initiative in Group I and can influence the qualification picture with another positive result. Israel, meanwhile, must bounce back when they host Italy in Udine, a fixture that carries the weight of both nations’ hopes as the World Cup qualifiers enter a decisive stage. The road to the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026 remains challenging, but Norway’s form this weekend reminded supporters that the party is far from over for a team chasing a place in football’s biggest tournament.
