What did five-goal Erling Haaland say to Moldova's goalkeeper Cristian Avram after Norway's 11-1 win in FIFA World Cup qualifying?
Published 10/09/2025 at 20:06 GMT+1
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Norway claimed an eye-catching victory in FIFA World Cup qualifying on Tuesday, beating Moldova 11-1. Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland scored five goals for Norway, who are aiming to reach their first major tournament for more than a quarter of a century. Moldova goalkeeper Cristian Avram has revealed what Haaland said to him after the match in Oslo.
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Video credit: SNTV
Moldova goalkeeper Cristian Avram has revealed Norway striker Erling Haaland spoke to him very respectfully on a night of World Cup humiliation in Oslo.
Norway beat Moldova 11-1 in FIFA World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night, with Manchester City superstar Haaland scoring five times.
It was a relentless performance, and Haaland was often seen picking the ball out of the net as Norway pursued more goals.
"I spoke to Erling," Avram explained to reporters after the game. "He said, 'It's not my fault' and that he just had to keep trying to score because of the goal difference.
"I understand him. It's part of the game. He wanted to keep fighting."
Asked how it felt to have conceded 11 goals in an international match, Avram replied: "Look at me, what can I say? I'm not going to die. I have to stay strong.
"In a few days I have another match. But 11 goals is a lot."
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Erling Haaland fires home his second goal against Moldova
Image credit: Getty Images
Haaland has now scored 48 goals in 45 international appearances. And, remarkably, it is the third time he has scored five goals in a match, following previous efforts against Luton Town and RB Leipzig.
Norway are aiming to reach the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
They have not qualified for a World Cup finals since 1998 and last made a major international tournament at Euro 2000.
Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard scored four goals as a substitute, while Felix Horn Myhre and Martin Odegaard were also on target.
On the unlikely scoreline, Haaland said: "This is pretty sick, I have to say. It speaks for itself.
"We're three games away. I must be boring, but we have to win at least two more, then we'll see."
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Norway have won all five of their qualifying matches in Group I and are six points ahead of Italy, who have played a game fewer.
The next match for Norway will be at home to Israel on October 11.
As for Haaland, he will return to action this weekend when City take on local rivals Manchester United in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola's team will want to get back on track after the shakiest of starts to their league season. City have lost their last two games, at home to Tottenham Hotspur and then at Brighton & Hove Albion.
City begin their UEFA Champions League campaign next week at home to Napoli, a game that will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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