Norway is on the cusp of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after beating Israel 5-0 on Saturday thanks to an Erling Haaland hat-trick.
Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz made two saves from the penalty spot Early on after the referee ordered his initial effort replayed, Haaland doubled Norway’s lead with a right-footed shot after Anan Khalili’s own goal had given the hosts the lead.
Another own goal, this time from Idan Nahmias, made it 3-0 when Peretz’s clearance bounced off a defender and into the net.
Haaland then made history with two headers to complete a hat-trick, as the Manchester City striker reached 51 goals in 46 appearances for his country.
With this number, Haaland became the fastest player to score 50 or more goals for his country, breaking Harry Kane’s record of 50 goals in 71 goals for England.
Norway will not play any further qualifying matches until November. However, Norway is six points ahead of Italy in Group I with a huge goal difference of 26, and Norway will be almost certain of its place in the finals for the first time since 1998 if it beats Estonia next month, or if Italy loses at home to Israel on Tuesday.
Estonia 1-3 Italy
Italy have achieved three wins from three under Gennaro Gattuso to keep their hopes of direct qualification alive.
Moise Kean opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he latched on to Federico Dimarco’s pass and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, although Kean was forced off after 11 minutes with an ankle injury.
Matteo Retegui scored a penalty kick that was saved by Karl Hein after half an hour, but eight minutes later the striker made up for this failure with a shot from a penalty kick from Riccardo Orsolini.
Francesco Pio Esposito’s first goal for Italy extended the Azzurri’s lead in the 74th minute, although the three-goal margin was short-lived as Gianluigi Donnarumma crossed, enabling Rauno Sapiinen to pull one back.
But this was only a consolation, as Italy could move within three points of Norway with a win over Israel. Gattuso will be without centre-back Alessandro Bastoni due to suspension after Inter Milan’s centre-back was warned.
Spain 2-0 Georgia
Neighbors of Iberian Spain Portugal needed a winner through Ruben Neves in the 91st minute to beat Ireland 1-0. Portugal has a five-point advantage over Hungary, which beat Armenia 2-0 in Group H. It will qualify on Tuesday if it beats Hungary and Armenia fails to beat Ireland.
La Roja is on track to qualify in a similarly comfortable manner.
Jeremi Pino set Spain on course for a routine win over Georgia when he scored after Robin Le Normand had put Pedri’s cross into his path in the 24th minute.
Ferran Torres failed to score from the penalty spot after five minutes, but a powerful free-kick from Mikel Oyarzabal in the 64th minute made it three from three to win.
Spain leads Group E, three points ahead of Türkiye, which crushed Bulgaria 6-1. Spain will be virtually certain of qualifying on Tuesday if it wins over Bulgaria on Tuesday and Türkiye loses to Georgia.
Serbia 0-1 Albania
England will qualify for the finals on Tuesday by defeating Latvia after defeating Serbia at home in Belgrade.
Rai Manaj scored the winning goal for Albania in stoppage time of the first half when he shot a direct shot with his right foot.
Albania moved to second place in Group 10, four points behind England, after playing a game more. The Three Lions will move into the lead by seven points after beating Latvia, which drew 2-2 with Andorra on Saturday.
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