Norway Rout Moldova 11-1 as Haaland Scores Five in World Cup Qualifying

Erling Haaland delivered a stunning performance during Norway's 11-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Moldova, scoring five goals and assisting two others to help Norway maintain a perfect record in Group I. Despite suffering a bizarre accident with a bus door that required stitches, Haaland was unstoppable, netting his fifth goal late in the match and setting up teammates including Felix Horn Myhre and Martin Odegaard. The victory marked one of Norway's largest margins of victory in competitive matches and tied the European record for the highest winning margin in World Cup qualifying. Substitute Thelo Aasgaard also contributed significantly with four goals in the second half. Norway, who have not qualified for a major tournament since Euro 2000, now lead the group by six points over Italy, who have a game in hand. The group winner qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with runners-up entering playoffs.