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Erling Haaland redeemed himself with a goal for Norway right after missing two penalties against Israel’s goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Initially, Haaland failed to score from the penalty spot, but the referee allowed him to retake due to Peretz’s infringement. Despite a second miss, Haaland quickly managed to find the net.
Haaland Scores in His Tenth Consecutive Game
Haaland missed the first two penalties with the score still level at 0-0, leading to initial worries among Norwegian fans about World Cup qualification. However, he soon quelled those concerns by capitalizing on a defensive miscue from Israel, as Anan Khalaili inadvertently directed a clearance into his own goal. Haaland scored again shortly after, slotting a shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 after 27 minutes.
Israel’s Idan Nachmias then contributed to the scoreline with another own goal, making it a 3-0 lead for Norway. This match marked Haaland’s tenth consecutive game with at least one goal, reinforcing his status as a critical player in Norway’s push for World Cup qualification.
Goals Galore
The forward’s performances underscore his return to form, as he has notched 19 goals in 12 games this season, bringing his international total to 49 goals from 46 appearances.
Despite a sluggish previous season affected by injuries and Manchester City’s overall performance, Haaland has commenced this campaign with renewed vigor, registering nine goals and one assist in just seven league matches. He has also scored ten goals during the qualification rounds for Norway.
Political Context Underscores Norway’s Match
Norway’s match against Israel was critical for their World Cup aspirations, and despite the team’s form, the political context added pressure. The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) had pledged to donate all ticket sales from this game to humanitarian aid in Gaza. NFF President Lise Klaveness stated, “The game is being played amidst severe humanitarian suffering, and we must not be indifferent to this.”
The qualifier drew a full house at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, and with this win, Norway is on the verge of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998.
Haaland & Co. Aim for the Global Stage
Haaland now stands set to participate in his first major international tournament, showcasing Norway’s potential beyond its star players. There is growing speculation about Norway being a dark horse contender, particularly if Haaland and captain Martin Odegaard maintain their impressive performances. Odegaard, recovering from minor injury setbacks, has displayed exceptional form in recent matches, indicating a solid partnership with Haaland as they look forward to the World Cup.
