16 goals in 8 games: Erling Haaland’s incredible record could make Norway dark horses for the World Cup

Erling Haaland has had an distinctive season even by his typical excessive requirements, and after main Norway to their first World Cup in 28 years, can he shock the favorites?

That would definitely be upsetting, however ought to we take Haaland and co? Severely? In any case, Manchester Metropolis’s striker has scored an astonishing 16 targets in eight World Cup qualifying video games, they usually have arguably the most effective participant on the earth in the mean time.

We’re used to seeing numbers like Haaland’s at membership stage, however he is clearly in a position to do it with out the assistance of Pep Guardiola and the sort of world-class team-mates he has with him on the Etihad Stadium.

Erling Haaland is unstoppable, however Norway aren’t only a one-man workforce both.

Nonetheless, it could be harsh for the remainder of the Norwegian workforce to say it is all about Haaland, who’s nearly as good as Norway’s objective machine.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard can be an enormous identify on this workforce and if he stays wholesome and reaches his greatest type, he might be essential in getting the most effective out of Haaland by offering the sort of service he’s greatest at.

Different notable gamers embody Sander Berge, Oskar Bobb, Alexander Soros, Antonio Nusa, and maybe Metropolis wonderland Sverre Nypan might be added by subsequent summer time.

The Norwegian workforce had a incredible World Cup qualifying marketing campaign, profitable eight out of eight video games, scoring 37 targets and conceding simply 5. On Sunday, they defeated highly effective Italy 4-1 away, displaying how critical they’re.

Can Norway defeat the favorites on the 2026 World Cup?

With so many different nice groups in attendance, it is clear that Norway isn’t one of many heavy favorites to win the World Cup, and it is uncommon to see actually large upsets in main tournaments.

Spain and France stand out as having the most effective groups, however England are additionally beginning to seem like a critical workforce beneath supervisor Thomas Tuchel, and naturally we will by no means rule out different robust groups comparable to Brazil, Germany and reigning champions Argentina.

However surprises do occur. Take into consideration when Greece received Euro 2004 or extra not too long ago when Croatia reached the ultimate of the 2018 World Cup. This Norwegian workforce appears to be like to be nearly as good as these groups, if not higher, and has a very particular goalscorer in Haaland, who might be at the next stage than some other soccer participant on the planet in the mean time.

How spectacular are Haaland’s numbers?

We’re used to it by now, however Haaland’s goalscoring statistics are really extraordinary.

The 25-year-old has scored 55 targets in 48 caps for his nation, turning into solely the sixth footballer in historical past to attain 50 targets with fewer than 50 caps.

To place this in some context, former Germany nationwide workforce striker Miroslav Klose is at present the all-time main scorer on the World Cup with 16 targets (see desk beneath for high seven), considered one of 71 complete targets scored in 137 appearances for the German nationwide workforce.

If Haaland performs as many World Cups as Klose and continues to attain at his present tempo, he might positively break that report.

Different gamers comparable to Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé have their sights set on that report and can undoubtedly be the primary to realize it, however will probably be very attention-grabbing to see Haaland at this stage subsequent summer time.