In a World Cup qualifying match that will go down in history, Norway delivered a sensational performance as they demolished Moldova with a staggering 11-1 victory in Oslo. The star of the night was none other than Erling Haaland, who produced a world-class display, scoring five goals and assisting two more, making him the undisputed hero of the match.
The game, played at Ullevaal Stadium, turned into a football festival for Norwegian fans, who witnessed one of the most dominant performances in recent international football history.
First Half: Norway Show No Mercy
Norway wasted no time asserting their dominance. In the 6th minute, Felix Horn Myhre opened the scoring, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable evening. Then came the Haaland show—he struck in the 11th, 36th, and 43rd minutes, completing a first-half hat-trick. Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard joined the scoring in stoppage time, giving Norway a 5-0 lead at halftime.
The Moldovan defense simply could not contain Haaland, whose movement, finishing, and link-up play tore them apart.
Second Half: Haaland and Aasgaard Shine
The second half continued in the same fashion. Haaland scored his fourth goal of the night in the 52nd minute, making it 6-0. Rising star Thelo Aasgaard then found the net in the 67th minute, extending Norway’s lead even further.
Moldova’s only consolation came from an unfortunate own goal by Leo Skiri Østigård, briefly reducing the scoreline to 7-1. But Norway were far from finished.
Aasgaard struck again in the 76th and 79th minutes, completing his own hat-trick and making the scoreline 9-1. Haaland, unstoppable as always, scored his fifth goal in the 83rd minute before Aasgaard capped off the night with a penalty in stoppage time. Final score: Norway 11 – 1 Moldova.
Haaland Reaches the Top of Scoring Charts
With this performance, Haaland now has nine goals in the European World Cup qualifiers, making him the leading scorer of the competition. His closest challenger, Andrej Kramarić, sits at six goals.
Norway remain undefeated in the group, winning all five matches, scoring 24 goals while conceding only three. Moldova, on the other hand, remain winless and pointless after five games.
Why This Match Matters
This victory is not only a massive boost for Norway’s qualification hopes but also a clear message to Europe that they are emerging as a serious footballing force. With Haaland at the peak of his powers, Ødegaard orchestrating the midfield, and young talents like Aasgaard making their mark, Norway’s golden generation may be on its way to writing a new chapter in football history.
Football analysts have already begun comparing this game to some of the biggest blowouts in World Cup qualifying history. Few teams have been able to combine efficiency, creativity, and ruthless finishing the way Norway did in this match.
Other Results from World Cup Qualifiers
While Norway dominated Moldova, the night was busy across Europe:
- France 2-1 Iceland – Kylian Mbappé scored from the penalty spot.
- Portugal 3-2 Hungary – Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty, with Bernardo Silva and João Cancelo adding to the score.
- England 5-0 Serbia – Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford among the scorers.
These results further shaped the race for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Conclusion
Norway’s 11-1 demolition of Moldova will be remembered as one of the most remarkable performances in modern international football. Haaland’s five-goal masterclass and Aasgaard’s hat-trick underline the depth of talent in this Norwegian side. If they can maintain this level, Norway may well become one of the dark horses to watch at the 2026 World Cup.
