Haaland’s Historic Five-Goal Haul: A Night of Records and Rarity for Norway

Erling Haaland delivered a performance for the ages, netting five goals and assisting two others in Norway’s dominant 11-1 victory over Moldova. This extraordinary display not only propelled his nation to a resounding win but also etched his name into an exclusive club of footballing legends.

A Quintet of Goals and a Perfect Rating

The Manchester City striker was in a league of his own during the September international break. He kicked off the scoring spree by assisting Norway’s opener, then proceeded to bag a first-half hat-trick. Not content with that, he added two more goals in the second half and set up the final goal of the game, completing an incredible seven-goal involvement.

This merciless showing against Moldova earned Haaland a rare 10.0 rating on FotMob, making him only the fourth professional player ever to achieve this perfect score. He now stands alongside an elite group that includes Belgium’s Thomas Meunier, who achieved a three-goal, three-assist performance against Gibraltar in 2017, and Neymar Jr., who had a four-goal involvement in his Paris Saint-Germain debut against Toulouse in 2017.

Other notable mentions for a 10.0 rating include striker Omar Faraj for a five-goal performance in the Swedish league and, famously, YouTuber Simon Minter (Miniminter) for his stellar showing in the 2022 Sidemen Charity Match.

Unselfish Play and Teammate Triumphs

Despite his individual brilliance, Haaland showcased his team-first mentality. He could have easily scored a sixth goal but instead allowed Thelo Aasgaard to convert a late penalty, enabling Aasgaard to complete a hat-trick of his own. Aasgaard, who came off the bench, even scored a fourth goal, finishing the match with an impressive 9.9 rating.

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard also came close to joining the exclusive 10.0 club, delivering a brace and an assist, but his performance was rated at a still-excellent 9.6.

Haaland’s Phenomenal Goal-Scoring Record

This match marked Haaland’s fifth hat-trick in just 45 appearances for Norway. His five goals in this game pushed his international goal tally to 48, meaning he now has more goals than caps for his country – a truly remarkable feat for any player, let alone one still in the early stages of his career.

Similarly, his record in the Champions League is equally astounding, with 49 goals in just 48 appearances. The 25-year-old striker has consistently found the back of the net with an almost unbelievable regularity for the better part of the last decade, and there are no signs of this slowing down for either club or country.

Haaland’s performance against Moldova serves as a stark reminder of his unparalleled talent and his relentless pursuit of greatness. As he continues to break records and set new standards, the football world watches in awe, anticipating what new milestones this generational talent will achieve next.