JAKARTA - Erling Haaland scored again as Norway defeated Estonia 4-1 in Group I of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in Oslo, Friday, November 14, 2025, early morning WIB.
The Manchester City player put his country on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Interestingly, Haaland was born two years after Norway's last World Cup appearance.
All the goals in the match against Estonia came in the second half. Haaland scored twice in a six-minute span to increase the lead to 4-0 after Alexander Sorloth had given the hosts a 2-0 lead shortly after halftime.
Haaland has scored 14 of Norway's 33 European goals in seven 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
This victory virtually secures Norway's place in the tournament. A prolific goal scorer, in next year's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Norway has a significantly superior goal difference over second-placed Italy.
With one match remaining in Group I of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Norway will face Italy in Milan on November 16, 2025, local time.
Italy must beat Norway by a nine-goal margin to avoid a playoff, thus qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup finals.
However, that seems impossible. Norway has been so strong throughout the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Even a narrow defeat by Haaland and his teammates against Italy would not dislodge them from the top of Group I.
Norway currently leads the standings with 21 points, a perfect tally from seven matches, with a goal difference of +29.
Meanwhile, Italy—four-time World Cup champions who were eliminated in the last two World Cup Qualifiers—has 18 points with a goal difference of +12.
Looking at that record, Norway clearly has a great chance of qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup.
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