Manchester City star Erling Haaland was absolutely ruthless in Norway’s 11-1 win over Moldova in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier in Oslo.
Erling Haaland scored a first-half hat-trick and assisted Felix Myhre’s sixth-minute opener, with Martin Odegaard also getting on the scoresheet for a 5-0 half-time lead.
Haaland then struck twice more and chipped in with another assist for Norway in the second half, while Thelo Aasgard casually bagged four off the bench.
Even Moldova’s scant consolation came from a Norway player, Leo Ostigard scoring an own goal.
Cristian Avram, Moldova’s goalkeeper on the night, has now shared what the Manchester City sharpshooter said to him after the game.
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Norway's forward #09 Erling Braut Haaland (L) scores the 3-0 goal past Moldova's defender #04 Vladislav Baboglo during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Europe zone group I football match between Norway and Moldova on September 9, 2025 in Oslo, Norway.
Photo by CORNELIUS POPPE/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
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Erling Haaland told Cristian Avram that Norway were just standing on business
Avram admitted that Haaland apologised to him after every goal.
The Moldovan stopper said he was told Norway “had to keep going” in order to rack up as high a goal difference as possible.
“He [Haaland] said it wasn’t my fault,” Avram is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
“He was apologising to me for rushing after every goal. He said they had to keep going because of the goal difference.”
If Norway lose to Italy and both teams win all their remaining games, they’ll be level on points, hence the Scandinavians’ desire to increase their goal difference.
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How likely Erling Haaland is to play at the World Cup next summer
Norway have won all of their games so far in Group I, putting them on 15 points from five matches.
This included a 3-0 hammering of Italy, who are currently on nine points from four games played.
Norway have three games left – a home match against Israel in October, a home meeting with Estonia in November, and finally the big trip to Italy three days later.
With Italy still being somewhat erratic, Norway will certainly fancy their chances of finishing top and reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1998.