Norway’s Resounding Victory in World Cup Qualifiers

London - Star striker Erling Haaland led Norway to a commanding 5-0 victory against Moldova, marking a successful start in the UEFA qualifying matches for next year's FIFA World Cup. This victory is significant for Norway as they aim to secure a spot in the tournament after last participating in the 1998 World Cup.

Haaland’s impressive performance shone during the match, where he scored his 39th goal in 40 appearances for the national team since making his debut in 2019. The match began with defender Julian Ryerson from Borussia Dortmund scoring the first goal just five minutes into the game. Haaland quickly doubled the lead in the 23rd minute, further solidifying Norway's dominance on the field.

Following Haaland's goals, additional contributions came from Thelo Asgard, Alexander Sorloth, and substitute Aaron Donnum, ensuring a comprehensive win.

With this victory, Norway now sits at the top of Group 1 after Israel also secured a win against Estonia, finishing 2-1. Analysts are optimistic about Norway’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in 2026 and jointly hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

In other European qualifying matches, Wales triumphed over Kazakhstan with a score of 3-1, while North Macedonia defeated Liechtenstein 3-0 in Group J. The Czech Republic achieved a narrow 2-1 victory against the Faroe Islands, with Patrick Schick scoring both goals for his team. Montenegro also secured a solid win against Gibraltar, ending the match 3-1. As the qualifying rounds continue, Norway’s early performance has set a promising tone for their campaign to return to the World Cup stage.