Erling Haaland helped himself to five goals as Norway routed Moldova 11-1, while Cristiano Ronaldo equalled a World Cup qualifying record in Portugal’s win over Hungary.
Haaland was in unstoppable form in Oslo, leading the way in a thoroughly one-sided Group I clash that maintained his side’s 100 per cent record after five games.
Haaland had his fifth international hat-trick by half-time, netting three times between the 11th and 43rd minute, and snatched another couple in the second half as he stretched his remarkable scoring record to 48 in 45 caps.
Erling Haaland, right, gets past Moldova goalkeeper Cristian Avram before scoring his fourth goal (Cornelius Poppe/AP)
Erling Haaland, right, gets past Moldova goalkeeper Cristian Avram before scoring his fourth goal (Cornelius Poppe/AP)(Cornelius Poppe/AP)
Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard scored four despite only coming on in the 64th minute and there further goals for Felix Horn Myre and Martin Odegaard. Even Moldova’s consolation came from a Norwegian player, Leo Ostigard with the own goal.
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Forty-year-old Ronaldo also had a day to remember, notching his 39th goal in World Cup qualifying – equalling the mark set by Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala. Ronaldo stepped up for a 58th minute penalty with the score at 1-1 and converted as he played his part in a 3-2 victory in Hungary.
Barnabas Varga put the home side ahead at Puskas Arena before Bernardo Silva levelled. Varga struck again to equalise in the 84th minute but Joao Cancelo won it to keep Portugal top of Group F after two games.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side’s second goal from the penalty spot (Denes Erdos/AP)
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side’s second goal from the penalty spot (Denes Erdos/AP)(Denes Erdos/AP)
Armenia sprung a surprise in the group’s other match, defeating the Republic of Ireland 2-1.
Eduard Spertsyan, who fired Armenia to victory over the Irish in another shock win three years ago, and Grant-Leon Ranos added a second soon after the restart. Evan Ferguson pulled one back but it was not enough to prevent a costly loss.