Haaland scores five as Norway crush Moldova 11-1 to top Group I

Erling Haaland scored five goals as Norway overwhelmed Moldova 11-1 in a World Cup qualifying match at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on Tuesday, continuing a remarkable scoring run for the Manchester City striker and strengthening Norway's position atop Group I. Haaland, who had earlier netted the winner in a 1-0 victory over Finland in the same international break, produced a first-half hat trick and added two more after the interval in a display that left the Moldovan defence repeatedly exposed.

The goals came in quick succession, with Haaland opening his account inside the opening quarter of an hour, completing his hat trick before halftime and converting twice more in the second half. Broadcasters and several media outlets credited him with the five-goal haul, and reported his international tally rose dramatically as a result. Reports varied on the precise total, with some outlets citing 46 goals in 45 appearances and others giving 48 in 45 caps, reflecting minor discrepancies in counting recent matches and statistics.

Earlier in the break, Haaland posted on social media after Norway's win over Finland thanking supporters and looking ahead to the Moldova fixture. Manchester City...