Erling Haaland reminded the world he’s human — but only for a moment. The Manchester City striker missed two early penalties before roaring back with a stunning hat-trick as Norway destroyed Israel 5–0 in a pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Double Penalty Miss? Haaland Shakes It Off
The drama at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo kicked off early. With the score still 0–0 after just six minutes, Haaland saw his first penalty saved by Daniel Peretz. The Israeli keeper was judged to have come off his line, giving Haaland a second attempt — which Peretz also stopped.
For a moment, it looked like the unthinkable: Erling Haaland choking under pressure. But it didn’t last long.
Just minutes later, Haaland drove into the box and helped force an own goal from Anan Khalaili, giving Norway a deserved lead. Then, in the 27th minute, he cut in on his weaker right foot and curled a shot into the bottom corner to double the advantage.
Haaland Hat-Trick Leads Norway to 5–0 Rout
Another Israeli own goal — this time from Idan Nachmias — made it 3–0, but Norway weren’t done. Haaland bagged two more goals in the second half to complete his hat-trick, seal a 5–0 victory, and continue his remarkable scoring form.
It marked Haaland’s 10th straight game with a goal and lifted his international tally to 52 goals in 46 caps. The 23-year-old now has 22 goals in just 13 games this season for club and country.
Norway on the Brink of World Cup Return
The result puts Norway within touching distance of their first World Cup appearance since 1998. With six wins in six qualifiers, they are top of their group and in complete control of their destiny.
Alongside Haaland, Martin Ødegaard continues to shine for both Arsenal and Norway. The midfielder’s creativity and leadership have been central to the team’s resurgence and may be vital at the 2026 tournament in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Political Tensions Surround the Match
Saturday’s match carried political weight, too. Ahead of the game, the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) announced that all ticket proceeds would go to Doctors Without Borders in support of humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza.
NFF President Lise Klaveness emphasized that the game was being played “in a context marked by grave humanitarian suffering,” adding that “we will not and cannot remain indifferent.”
Despite the tensions, Norway played with confidence and control in front of a sold-out home crowd, delivering a performance that showed both focus and firepower.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
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Erling Haaland missed two penalties, then scored a hat-trick in Norway’s 5–0 win over Israel.
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Israel contributed two own goals as Norway ran riot in World Cup qualifying.
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Haaland has now scored in 10 consecutive games and has 22 goals in 13 matches this season.
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Norway are on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
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All ticket revenue was donated to humanitarian relief in Gaza.
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