Erling Haaland Drives Norway To 5-0 Victory Over Moldova

Norway displayed a compelling performance on Saturday, March 22, 2025, defeating Moldova 5-0 in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. This victory marks a vital step for the Norwegian national team, which has not participated in a World Cup since 1998. Star forward Erling Haaland, playing for Manchester City, was pivotal in leading the team to a convincing win.

The match took place in Chisinau, Moldova, and the early momentum set the tone for Norway's solid start in the qualifiers for the tournament to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Norway is currently at the top of Group I, which also includes Estonia and Israel.

Julian Ryerson opened the scoring for Norway just five minutes into the match, giving the team an early advantage. His goal laid the groundwork for a confident performance filled with attacking prowess. Haaland doubled the lead with his second goal of the match at the 23-minute mark, underscoring his role as a vital asset for the team's ambitions. This goal brought Haaland's record to 39 goals in just 40 appearances since his debut for Norway in 2019, showcasing his incredible scoring ability.

Following Haaland's goal, Thelo Aasgaard netted the third goal, further extending Norway's lead before halftime. The assist for Aasgaard’s goal came from Ryerson, who had opened the scoring. The commanding first-half performance concluded with Martin Ødegaard assisting Alexander Sorloth, who headed in the fourth goal just before the halftime whistle.

The second half saw Norway maintaining control, with Aron Donnum coming off the bench to score the fifth goal at the 69-minute mark, rounding out an impressive display from the Scandanavian side.

This significant win is a relief for Norway, which has struggled to qualify for recent tournaments, missing out on both the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship. Coach Stale Solbakken leads a highly regarded squad that includes not only Haaland but also key players such as Ødegaard and Sorloth, as they aim to end their 25-year drought from World Cup participation.

After their resounding victory against Moldova, Norway is focused on their next match scheduled against Israel on March 25, 2025. Their aspirations are high as they hope to secure a qualifying spot for the tournament next year. The competition format allows only the winners of each of the 12 qualifying groups to qualify directly, followed by four additional teams from playoffs involving the runners-up, creating a tightly contested race.

As Norway looks ahead to its future fixtures, the team recalls its past efforts underperforming in qualifiers, but now they possess a potent attacking force in Haaland and a talented supporting cast. With a strong start to the campaign, the national team is eager to reclaim its place in the spotlight of international football.

Haaland not only aims to lead his country back to a major tournament but also hopes to build on his personal accolades, with his club successes including the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup victories with Manchester City. Fans are hopeful that this talented team, led by their star player, can rekindle success on the international stage.