Erling Haaland again underlined his status as the most frightening striker in world football on Tuesday evening by scoring five times in the amazing 11-1 demolition of Moldova in Norway.
The Superstar of Manchester City, who played with stitches in his face after a collision with a bus door less than 24 hours earlier, was not in the mood for sympathy. He scored in the 11th, 36th, 43rd, 51st and 83rd minutes in Oslo to bring his international count to a barely credible 48 goals in 45 performances.
For the context, Cristiano Ronaldo had only managed 15 goals for Portugal after his first 45 caps, while Robert Lewandowski stood at the same point by Poland. Haaland has already made the all times in Norway set by Jorgen Juve with 33 goals in that it was only 25 years old.
This was his first five goals at international level, although he had previously beaten five in a match for City against RB Leipzig in the Champions League and against Luton in the FA Cup.
Thelo Baasgaard scored remarkably four goals from the bank on Tuesday, but even that was overshadowed by Haaland’s last show of ruthlessness.
Fans respond to Erling Haaland’s Five-goal Trek versus Moldova
The internet broke out when supporters tried to put the performance into words.
A fan described Haaland as “just can’t stop”. Another stated: “I’m sorry, but Erling Haaland retires as the best striker in football history.”
A third wrote: “We are finally going to see Haaland at the World Cup.”
Erling Haaland depicted with a signed game ball after scoring five goals for Norway in a 11-1 win over Moldova
Will Haaland play at the 2026 World Cup?
After years of almost -missers, it looks increasingly more likely that Haaland will finally get his chance of the biggest stage.
Norway’s pounding victory over Moldova made five victories of five in their qualifying group of World Cup, with a target difference of +21.
They are six points free from the second place Italy, who beat Israel 5-4 in another bizarre game on Tuesday and played a game less.
The most important result so far came in June, when Norway Italy defeated 3-0 in Oslo. With head-to-head records the first Tie-Breaker in UEFA qualification, which makes victory the side of stale solbaks strong favorites to finish top of group I and to qualify directly.
If they were sliding to the second, a play-off await another European nation.
Has Haaland ever played on a world cup before?
Haaland scored three goals in four performances at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, but he still has to play at a major tournament at international level.
That is why he will stay fit and the secure qualification of Norway, 2026 Haaland makes his world cup debut.
Norway has previously qualified three times for a World Cup, in 1938, 1994 and the most recently 1998.
Participating in the party in 2026, the Scandinavian nation would end an absence of 28 years in the largest tournament in world football.
Haaland played for Man City at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, but he still has to make his international tournament debut with Norway
Will Haaland be the largest star on the World Cup 2026?
For more than ten years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the determining names of each World Cup. Messi led Argentina to Glory in Qatar in 2022, while Ronaldo remains the record -breaking captain of Portugal.
But 2026 could be the tournament where a new generation is central.
Messi will be 39 next summer. He recently admitted, after what was probably his last home performance for Argentina, that “the most logical thing is that I won’t make it” for the World Cup, although he remains motivated to try it.
Ronaldo, who will be 41 next year, is expected to be the captain Portugal at the tournament, but is far beyond his Prime.
That opens the door for a change in the guard. Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are among the next generation of superstars ready to claim global spotlights.
Haaland, however, looks the best to grab it. No other striker in the world combines his figures with his aura.
The rising golden generation of Norway
Haaland is not the only starman in the current Norway team.
Martin Odegaard blooms in one of Europe’s most influential game makers in Arsenal, while Rangers -midfielder Baatgaard, the younger Oscar Bobb of the MAN City and teenage wing Antonio Nusa offer further firepower.
For a nation that has long been starved from tournament football, the mix of talent of world class and youthful exuberance has supporters who dare to dream that Norway can do more than just qualify.
What makes Haaland not to stop like that?
Haaland’s pure songs – 86 goals in 89 games for Borussia Dortmund before he came to City, followed by 88 in his first 100 Premier League matches – speaking for themselves. But only statistics does not explain why he is so productive.
Analysts point out that it is not only the finish of Haaland that distinguishes him. Sergio Aguero, the man he succeeded in City, was technically a better finisher in terms of shot conversion. The difference is that Haaland consistently has a higher quality of a combination of a stupid pace, strength, movement and anticipation.
Defenders simply cannot deal with his mix of size and speed. His runs in space create chaos, while his reflexes in the box enable him to take advantage of half chances that most strikers would not even sniff out.
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