Haaland Nets Hat-Trick; Ronaldo Goalless in WC Qualifiers

Haaland scored 51 goals for Norway in just 46 appearances, while Ronaldo failed to extend the all-time men’s international goalscoring record to 141.

Both players missed penalties – even Haaland missed again – on a night when fluffy spot-kicks seemed contagious but did not impact the results. Spaniard Ferran Torres and Italian Mateo Retegui also saved themselves.

While European champion Spain beat Georgia 2-0, Italy beat Estonia 3-1 and prevented goal-hungry Norway from getting too ahead. Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma scored a late goal to add to the mistakes he has made in recent years.

Spain remains in control Spain is top of Group E with nine points after a third consecutive win without conceding a goal.

Spain, who missed Barcelona’s great star Lamine Yamal, took the lead in the middle of the first half thanks to Yeremy Pino.

Goal-scoring midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal made the score 2-0 with a free kick in the middle of the second half.

Spain is three points ahead of Türkiye, which won 6-1 against Bulgaria with two goals from Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız.

Portugal take command Portugal’s late winner claimed their third win in a row and opened up a five-point lead over second-placed Hungary in Group F.

Rúben Neves headed in stoppage time to make up for Ronaldo’s 75th-minute penalty miss; This came when he launched his shot straight into the middle and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher put out his left foot to balloon the ball upwards.

Kelleher then jumped to his feet and pumped his right fist in celebration, while Ronaldo buried his face in his hands.

Fans in Lisbon applauded for a minute in memory of Diogo Jota, who wore that jersey number for Portugal in the 21st minute. The former Liverpool striker died in a car accident with his brother in July.

Neves currently wears number 21 and has a tattoo on his left calf in memory of his late friend.

In the other match of the group, Hungary defeated Armenia 2-0 with goals from Dániel Lukács and Zsombor Gruber.

In the Haaland show, Haaland became the only Norwegian player to score two Israeli own goals in Oslo.

Norway won all six matches and was six points ahead of second-placed Italy. Haaland’s team has a huge goal difference of +26 with 29 goals scored and 3 goals conceded.

Haaland drilled an angled shot in the 27th minute, added a powerful downward header in the 63rd minute and a header from behind in the 72nd minute.

Even on Norway’s third goal, his ominous presence caused a mistake between goalkeeper and defender Dan Nachmias.

Israeli striker Anan Khalaili’s own goal put Norway ahead in the 18th minute.

There were pro-Palestinian protests before the match in Oslo.

Italy were already on the run when Donnarumma gave up a routine catch down the left flank to slot the ball in to Estonia’s Rauno Sappinen.

Italy had taken the lead early through striker Moise Kean, who plays for Fiorentina in Serie A. However, Kean later limped off with what appeared to be a right ankle injury.

Retegui found the goal as half-time approached and Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito converted Leonardo Spinazzola’s cross in the 74th minute, moments before Donnarumma tapped in.

Manaj gave a nationalist signal. Albania’s 1-0 win in Serbia moved them past the hosts and into second place in Group K, four points behind England.

Striker Rey Manaj scored with a neat volley just before half-time and made a nationalist symbol with his hands as he ran to the bench to celebrate.

He clasped his hands together, with thumbs locked and fingers extended, to form something similar to the double-headed eagle displayed on the Albanian flag. The thumbs represent the heads of two eagles.

In the other match, Andorra drew 2-2 with Latvia.