Erling Haaland Joins Neymar in Elite Five-Goal Club After Norway’s 11-1 Win

Norway’s 11-1 win over Moldova placed Erling Haaland in an exclusive category of players who have scored five or more goals in a single competitive game. With his ruthless finishing and relentless movement, Haaland became one of the very few stars to achieve this feat on the international stage. Haaland joined Brazilian forward Neymar, who delivered a 4-goal involvement debut for Paris Saint-Germain against Toulouse in 2017. Neymar’s performance was considered untouchable at the time, but Haaland’s masterclass in Norway’s 11-1 win has now drawn direct comparisons.

The only other professionals to hit this milestone include Belgium’s Thomas Meunier, who recorded a three-goal, three-assist game against Gibraltar, and Swedish striker Omar Faraj, who scored 5 in a league match. This achievement underlines Haaland’s status as more than just a prolific scorer for club and country. With his 5 goals, Haaland not only carried Norway to victory but also confirmed that he belongs in the same conversation as global icons like Neymar when it comes to match-defining brilliance.

Match Summary :

• Match: Norway vs Moldova – World Cup Qualifier
• Final Score: Norway 11-1 Moldova

• Venue: Oslo, Norway
• Star Player: Erling Haaland (5 goals, 2 assists)
• Other Scorers: Thelo Aasgaard (4), Martin Odegaard (1), Felix Myrhe (1), Own Goal (Leo Ostigard)
• Norway’s Record: 15 points from 5 matches in Group I
• Haaland’s Tally: 48 goals in 45 caps for Norway

The game started with Haaland turning provider. In just the sixth minute, he set up Felix Myrhe for the opener. What followed was an avalanche of goals. By the 11th minute, Haaland had opened his personal account. He then struck again in the 36th and 43rd minutes, completing yet another international hat-trick before half-time. With Martin Odegaard adding a stoppage-time goal, Norway’s 11-1 win was all but secured before the break.

Any hopes Moldova had of slowing down Norway vanished within minutes of the restart. Haaland added his fourth goal in the 52nd minute before completing his five-goal haul in the 83rd minute. Even more astonishing was his willingness to share the spotlight—Haaland passed up a chance for a sixth goal, allowing teammate Thelo Aasgaard to step up and score from the penalty spot.

Aasgaard, who came on as a substitute, made history of his own by scoring four goals in just 30 minutes. Despite this remarkable feat, his performance was still overshadowed by Erling Haaland’s ruthless display.

This victory was not only Norway’s biggest win in recent memory but also a record-breaking night for Erling Haaland. His five goals took his tally to 48 goals in just 45 caps for his country, a ratio almost unheard of in international football. To put things in perspective, his performance marked the most goals by a European in a World Cup qualifier since Austria’s Hans Krankl scored six in 1977.

Fans and pundits flooded social media with reactions to Norway’s 11-1 win. Many described Erling Haaland as a “monster,” a “freak,” and “unplayable.” Others focused on how Norway, once considered outsiders, now look like genuine dark horses for the 2026 World Cup. The sheer dominance displayed in Oslo left little doubt that Norway can compete at the highest level.

Beyond Finishing: Why Haaland is a Phenomenal Goalscorer

What makes Erling Haaland unique is not just his finishing ability. Critics often argue that any striker playing for Manchester City would score plenty, but Norway’s 11-1 win showed why that logic fails. Haaland consistently creates high-quality chances through his movement, strength, and anticipation. Even compared to greats like Sergio Aguero, his ability to find space and generate opportunities makes him an elite goalscorer.

His combination of volume and quality of chances is unmatched in Europe. Unlike strikers who either shoot often with lower accuracy or rarely with higher quality, Haaland manages both. This balance ensures that when Norway plays, especially in games like their 11-1 win, he dominates the scoreline.

With Norway’s 11-1 win, Solbakken’s team sits comfortably on top of Group I, six points clear of second-place Italy. With Erling Haaland in unstoppable form and Odegaard pulling strings in midfield, Norway has the talent to qualify strongly and make an impact in the 2026 World Cup.