Haaland's show - after two missed penalties there is hat-trick

In a crucial World Cup qualifier for Norway, Haaland got off to a shaky start, missing two penalties. However, between Israel’s two own goals, Haaland put on a show, completing a brilliant hat-trick.

Erling Haaland’s golden touch seemed to waver briefly at the start of Norway’s crucial World Cup qualifier, as the Manchester City striker missed not one, but two penalties – before making amends with a stunning hat-trick.

Haaland has been in ruthless form this season, scoring in every match except one. Heading into the clash with Israel, he had found the net 13 times in his last 10 appearances.

Norway looked set to add to that tally early on when they were awarded a third-minute penalty after Patrick Berg was fouled in the box by Dan Biton. Haaland’s first attempt went low to the goalkeeper’s right, but Daniel Peretz guessed correctly and kept it out.

A retake was given as Peretz had come off his line too soon. Haaland stepped up again, only to be thwarted once more, this time by a sharp dive to the left by the Israeli goalkeeper.

Despite the rocky start, Haaland’s blushes were spared as Norway opened the scoring in the 18th minute thanks to an own goal by Anan Khalaili.

The striker wasted little time to make his mark. In the 26th minute, he sprinted onto a perfectly timed through ball from Alexander Sorloth, switched the ball from his left to right foot, and slotted a low finish into the corner, doubling Norway’s lead. That goal marked Haaland’s 10th consecutive scoring match for club and country. The goal is HERE!

The only team to deny him this season had been Tottenham, who beat Man City 2-0 back in August.

Norway didn’t stop there. Just a minute after Haaland’s second, Israel suffered a second own goal, courtesy of Idan Nachmias, leaving the hosts 3-0 up in Oslo.

Haaland continued his dominance after the break, netting again just after the hour mark. The goal is HERE! Then, in the 72nd minute, he completed his hat-trick with a precise header from a far-post cross, putting Norway 5-0 ahead. The GOAL was also a personal milestone — Haaland’s 50th goal in just 46 appearances for his country.

WC QUALIFIERS - EUROPE

Thursday

Finland - Lithuania 2-1 (0-1)

/Kallman 48, Markhiev 55 - Sirvys 25/

Austria - San Marino 10-0 (6-0)

/Schmid 7, Arnautovic 8, 47, 83, 84, Gregoritsch 24, Posch 30, 42, Laimer 45, Wurmbrand 76/

Belarus - Denmark 0-6 (0-4)

/Froholdt 14, Hojlund 19, 45, Dorgu 45+6, Dreyer 66, 78/

Cyprus - B&H 2-2 (1-2)

/Laifis 45+1, Pittas 90+6 pen - Katic 10, Michail 36 og/

Czech Republic - Croatia 0-0

Faroe Islands - Montenegro 4-0 (2-0)

/Sorensen 16, 55, Frederiksberg 36, 72 pen/

Malta - Netherlands 0-4 (0-1)

/Gakpo 12 pen, 48 pen, Reijnders 57, Depay 90+3/

Scotland - Greece 3-1 (0-0)

/Christie 64, Ferguson 80, Dykes 90+3 - Tsimikas 62/

Friday

Kazakhstan - Liechtenstein 4-0 (2-0)

/Kenzhebek 26, 59, Zaynutdinov 28, Kasym 81/

Belgium - North Macedonia 0-0

France - Azerbaijan 3-0 (1-0)

/Mbappe 45+2, Rabiot 69, Thauvin 84/

Germany - Luxembourg 4-0 (2-0)

/Raum 12, Kimmich 21 pen, 50, Gnabry 48/

Iceland - Ukraine 3-5 (1-3)

/Ellertsson 35, Gudmundsson 59, 75 - Malinovskyi 14, 45+5, Gutsulyak 45, Kaliuzhnyi 85, Ocheretko 89/

Kosovo - Slovenia 0-0

Northern Ireland - Slovakia 2-0 (1-0)

/Hrosovsky 18 og, Hume 81/

Sweden - Switzerland 0-2 (0-0)

/Xhaka 65 pen, Manzambi 90+4/

Saturday

Latvia - Andorra 2-2 (1-1)

/Zelenkovs 41, Gutkovskis 55 pen - San Nicolas 33, Bryan Olivera 78/

Hungary - Armenia 2-0 (0-0)

/Lukacs 56,  Gruber 90+4/

Norway - Israel 5-0 (3-0)

/Khalaili 18 (og), Nachmias 28 (og), Haaland 27, 63, 72/

21.45: (11.0) Bulgaria (6.00) Turkey (1.25)

21.45: (25.0) Estonia (11.0) Italy (1.08)

21.45: (1.15) Portugal (7.75) R.Ireland (19.0)

21.45: (1.75) Serbia (3.60) Albania (5.60)

21.45: (1.12) Spain (10.0) Georgia (16.0)

***odds are subject to change***