Erling Haaland Smashes Another Premier League Record with Jaw-Dropping Hat-Trick

Erling Haaland produced another jaw-dropping masterclass on Tuesday night, firing five goals and adding an assist in Norway’s 11-1 demolition of Moldova in Oslo, a result that keeps Ståle Solbakken’s side firmly in the hunt for automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Manchester City superstar needed just 27 minutes to complete a hat-trick, bullying Moldova’s back line with his trademark pace, power and ruthless finishing. Two second-half strikes—including a thunderous left-footed volley—took his tally to 47 goals in 45 senior internationals, extending a record-breaking strike rate that now eclipses legendary names such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski at the same stage of their careers. Haaland’s outburst also catapulted Norway’s goal difference past group leaders Italy, setting up a tantalising showdown next month in Rome. With three qualifiers remaining, the Norwegians sit two points back but boast momentum after four consecutive victories in which the 25-year-old has rattled in 10 goals. Remarkably, the five-goal haul came less than 24 hours after a freak team-bus accident left Haaland with a cut lip that required stitches and emergency dental work. Medical staff cleared him to play only on match-day morning, prompting relief across a nation that now regards qualification as a realistic expectation rather than a dream. Captain Martin Ødegaard praised his strike partner’s resilience: “Erling is built differently. Most players would sit this one out, but he woke up wanting to score a handful. That attitude lifts the entire squad.” The Arsenal midfielder chipped in with three assists as Norway’s attacking carousel overwhelmed Moldova, registering 38 shots and 73 % possession. Key stats that will fuel SEO searches for “Erling Haaland record” and “Haaland five goals”: • Fastest player in UEFA qualifying history to reach 15 goals this cycle—just seven appearances. • First Norwegian to score five in a competitive international since Jørgen Juve in 1935. • 11-1 is Norway’s biggest win since the 12-0 rout of Finland in 1946. What’s next? Haaland returns to Manchester City for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa, where he sits atop the Golden Boot race with nine goals from six matches. For Norway, attention shifts to the October double-header: Kazakhstan at Ullevaal before the decisive visit to the Stadio Olimpico. Two wins would punch the Scandinavians’ first World Cup ticket since France 1998—a drought Haaland seems determined to end. With transfer rumours around a future move to Real Madrid resurfacing and his brand-new signature Nike boots trending on social media, expect search interest in the Norwegian goal machine to soar even higher. As long as Erling Haaland keeps rewriting the record books, Norway’s World Cup dream—and global headline traffic—will follow.