Haaland hits hat-trick as ruthless Norway destroy Israel in Oslo

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Erling Haaland stole the show in Oslo as Norway dismantled Israel 5-0 in a World Cup qualifying match, with the Manchester City striker netting a hat-trick to mark yet another milestone in his dazzling international career.

The match was played amid heightened security and political tension, with pro-Palestinian protests forming outside Ullevaal Stadium and sections of the crowd jeering Israel’s national anthem as Palestinian flags and banners were displayed.

Despite the charged environment, Norway maintained firm control throughout.

Haaland’s night had a rocky start. He missed two penalties early on, first saved, then a retake also denied by Israel’s goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, before finally finding his rhythm.

But once he broke the seal, there was no looking back. He scored in the 27th minute, then again in the 63rd and 72nd to complete his treble.

Norway’s dominance was further bolstered by two own goals from Israel’s Anan Khalaili and Idan Nachmias in the first half.

Altogether, the margin told a story of total control.

By scoring his hat-trick, Haaland also crossed the 50-goal threshold for Norway, reaching 51 in 46 appearances, a meteoric scoring rate that underscores his place among the modern greats.

With that goal tally, he extends his dominance in European qualifying, now with 12 goals in six Group I matches.

Norway now sit atop the group with six wins from six games and a whopping +26 goal difference, inching ever closer to a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Italy, in second, now face an uphill battle to close the gap.

Speaking after the match, Norway’s Antonio Nusa said: “We played a solid match today. There’s still work to do, but we’re enjoying this moment.”

While Haaland’s brilliance was the headline, the match encapsulated more than just sporting glory. The protests, the booing of anthems, and the tension in the air showed how deeply sport intersects with global politics.

Yet on the pitch, Norway’s unity, structure, and attacking threats made the difference.