Haaland helps Norway start its World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout

By JOSEPH WILSON The Associated Press
Updated: March 22, 2025 - 10:09 PM
Published: March 22, 2025 - 6:57 PM
Norway's Erling Haaland follows the ball with Moldova's Vladislav Baboglo during a Group I, World Cup qualifier soccer match between Moldova and Norway at the Zimbru stadium in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurel Obreja)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Aurel Obreja]

Erling Haaland has helped Norway make a positive start to its World Cup qualifying campaign by scoring in a 5-0 rout at Moldova. Norway’s third and last World Cup appearance was back in 1998, two years before Haaland was born. Haaland now leads a team featuring Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard that bears high expectations of reaching the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The Scandinavian side is favored to win Group I, which also includes Estonia and Israel. Haaland scored Norway’s second goal against the outmatched Moldova.

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