Oslo (Norway), Sep 10 (AP) Erling Haaland, sporting stitches on his face from an unexpected encounter with a bus door, stole the spotlight for the Norwegian national team by netting five goals in their emphatic 11-1 victory over Moldova during Tuesday's World Cup qualifying match.
The Manchester City forward completed a hat trick by halftime, continuing to find the net to contribute Norway's second, third, fourth, sixth, and tenth goals in what ranks among the largest winning margins in European World Cup qualifying history.
Haaland's stellar performance came on the heels of an unusual accident, where he required three stitches after being “banged out” by the bus door while exiting at the team hotel, as he shared on social media.
Assisted twice by Arsenal's Martin Ødegaard, who also added a goal to his name, Haaland showcased his outstanding form. Felix Myhre scored once and set up Haaland’s opening goal, while substitute Thelo Aasgaard remarkably scored four goals but was still outscored by Haaland.
In a twist, Moldova's lone goal was credited to a Norwegian player when defender Leo Østigård inadvertently directed a pass into his own net.
This lopsided victory marks the biggest win in the current World Cup qualifying cycle in Europe, surpassing the Netherlands' 8-0 thrashing of Malta in June. It closely approaches the all-time European qualification record of West Germany's 12-0 demolition of Cyprus in 1969, and equals Norway's largest margin of victory in a competitive match.
Ranked 154th globally and near the bottom in Europe, Moldova has endured a challenging qualifying campaign, losing all five matches and conceding 25 goals while scoring just three.
Despite their record, Moldova still harbors hopes of World Cup qualification thanks to a peculiar quirk in the qualifying system. After topping a group in the bottom-tier Nations League against Malta and Andorra, they remain in contention for a playoff spot. (AP)
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