### Norway's Dominance: Haaland's Hat-Trick Propels Team Closer to World Cup Qualification Norway's national football team showcased an impressive performance in their recent World Cup qualifier against Israel, securing a decisive 5-0 victory. This match marked a significant milestone for Erling Haaland, who celebrated his 50th international goal with a hat-trick. The win places Norway in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, as they maintain a perfect record in the qualifiers with six wins from six matches. The match was also overshadowed by chaotic protests, highlighting the political tensions surrounding the event [https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/wc-qualifiers-haaland-hat-trick-amidst-chaotic-protests/20251012.htm][https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/haaland-fires-norway-closer-to-world-cup-as-italy-stay-in-hunt]. ### Breakdown of Norway's World Cup Qualifying Success 1. **Match Overview** - Norway defeated Israel 5-0 in Oslo. - Erling Haaland scored three goals, bringing his total to 51 in 46 matches. - The victory solidifies Norway's lead in Group I, with a nine-point advantage over Italy, who have two games in hand [https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/haaland-hattrick-puts-norway-closer-world-cup-return-israel-rout-4007521][https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/world-cup-qualifiers-haaland-shines-with-hat-trick-for-norway/story]. 2. **Haaland's Performance** - Haaland's hat-trick included an angled shot, a powerful header, and a back-post header. - He has scored 12 goals in the current European qualifying campaign, leading the charts [https://apnews.com/article/norway-haaland-penalty-misses-d4167aa1fe42764c708f4f12f67cae1e][https://www.bluewin.ch/en/sport/football/norway-still-unblemished-italy-remain-in-contention-albania-win-in-serbia-2912157.html]. 3. **Political Context** - The match took place amidst protests related to political issues involving Israel. - Lise Klaveness, head of the Football Association of Norway, has been vocal about pushing for sanctions against Israel [https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/10/haaland-fires-norway-closer-to-world-cup-return-in-win-over-israel]. ### Key Statistics and Data Supporting Norway's Performance - **Match Statistics:** - Final Score: Norway 5 - 0 Israel - Haaland's Goals: 3 (27', 63', 72') - Total Goals in Qualifiers: 12 (Haaland leads European qualifiers) - Norway's Group I Standing: 1st place with 18 points from 6 matches [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/haaland-twice-misses-penalty-for-norway-against-21096050.php][https://swedenherald.com/article/norway-dominates-israel-50-in-world-championship-qualifier]. ### Conclusion: Norway's Path to World Cup Qualification **Norway's commanding victory against Israel, highlighted by Erling Haaland's hat-trick, positions them favorably for World Cup qualification.** 1. **Dominance in Group I:** Norway leads with a perfect record, significantly ahead of Italy. 2. **Haaland's Historic Achievement:** Reaching 51 goals in just 46 matches underscores his pivotal role in the team's success. 3. **Political Tensions:** The match's backdrop of protests adds a layer of complexity to Norway's sporting achievements. As Norway continues its campaign, the combination of athletic prowess and political context will be crucial in shaping their journey towards the World Cup [https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/10/haaland-fires-norway-closer-to-world-cup-return-in-easy-win-over-israel].