Winning trophies and top-scoring awards might be routine to Erling Haaland but this week the striker stands on the brink of what could be a once-in-lifetime opportunity: to qualify for the World Cup with Norway. Since Haaland was born in 2000, Norway have never competed on the world's biggest stage. Their six attempts fell flat, only reaching the play-offs on one occasion.
Automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, however, is in their own hands. And in the feet of Haaland. The Manchester City striker is the top scorer in UEFA qualifying on nine goals in five games, three more than his nearest rivals.
In Norway's last game against Moldova he scored five and set up two more in a 11-1 wallopping. Norway have won all five of their games to take a six-point lead over Italy, although the Italians have a game in hand, with three games to go.
And if Norway continue their 100 percent record by beating Israel in a politically fraught match on Saturday, they will take another huge step towards their goal. If they can do that and Italy fail to beat Estonia or Israel, then they will seal their place in the World Cup draw with two games to spare.
But even if Italy take maximum points from their games, there is a huge motivation for Norway to not just beat Israel but to win big: they visit Italy in their final match which could be a straight shootout for qualification. And it could come down to goal difference. It means extra pressure will be on Haaland, who will also be captaining his team in the absence of the injured Martin Odegaard.