Norway's forward Erling Braut Haaland (L) and celebrates the 3-0 goal with Norway's midfielder Martin Odegaard during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Europe zone group I football match between Norway and Moldova on September 9, 2025 in Oslo, Norway.placeholder image
Norway's forward Erling Braut Haaland (L) and celebrates the 3-0 goal with Norway's midfielder Martin Odegaard during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Europe zone group I football match between Norway and Moldova on September 9, 2025 in Oslo, Norway. | NTB/AFP via Getty Images
A handful of Manchester City stars were in action on Tuesday night as the final round of international games took place
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland put himself in a goalscoring mood ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby as he scored five goals and provided two assists in Norway’s 11-1 rout of Moldova on Tuesday night.
Felix Horn Myhre opened the scoring after six minutes with Haaland doubling the lead five minutes later. He scored two more later in the half to complete his hat-trick with Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard adding a fifth before half-time.
Haaland bagged his fourth on 52 minutes and final goal on 83 minutes. Substitute Thelo Aasgaard scored four goals, with Haaland rejecting the chance to score a double hat-trick as he allowed the youngster to take a penalty. He also gave the Rangers man the match ball after the game.
Reaction as Erling Haaland stars for Norway on historic night
Haaland now has 48 goals in 45 international caps for Norway and became the first player to score five goals for the country since 1948.
He said after: “A great game. We pulled it off in the end. A historic evening!”
Arsenal star Odegaard said it’s a dream to play with Haaland, as he said afterwards: “It's a dream to play with him. I know he times the runs perfectly. Then it's just a matter of hitting, and then it mostly goes to the finish when he gets it.”
Fulham midfielder Sander Berge praised both players after the game, as he said: “These are two of the world's best footballers. When they do it in the Premier League, you almost expect them to do it when they get so much space. There are some sick goals of course, but they are on that shelf. Then you just have to enjoy yourself and watch.”
Bernardo Silva scores in dramatic Portugal win
Elsewhere on Tuesday, City midfielder Bernardo Silva scored as Portugal clinched a dramatic win over Hungary. It could prove to be a decisive win as Portugal are the only side to win both of their opening games in Group F of UEFA’s World Cup qualifiers.
Hungary look set to be their closest challengers but they surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Ireland last week. Ireland, meanwhile, were embarrassed with a 2-1 loss in Armenia - who now sit second in the group.
Barnabas Varga put Hungary ahead on Tuesday but Silva equalised on 36 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead from the penalty spot. In some late drama, Varga got Hungary back on level terms six minutes from time but ex-City defender Joao Cancelo put the visitors back ahead just two minutes later in a breathless finish. It puts Portugal five points above Hungary and Ireland after two games.
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