The Norway national team is one step away from securing its ticket to the 2026 World Cup, bringing Erling Haaland closer to what would be his first appearance on football’s biggest stage. The team led by Ståle Solbakken delivered another strong performance in the qualifiers, defeating Estonia 4–1 thanks to a 12-minute burst of offensive fury from Haaland and Alexander Sørloth, who scored two goals each.

Norway, leaders of Group I, hold their direct spot firmly: they will be mathematically qualified if Italy fail to beat Moldova in Matchday 7. If the azzurri take all three points, Sunday’s clash between Italy and Norway will decide the group’s automatic ticket. For Italy, the scenario is nearly impossible: they need two heavy victories to close the massive goal-difference gap that Norway currently dominates.

A Norwegian Storm After Halftime

Norway’s campaign has been flawless: seven wins in seven matches, a +29 goal difference and an increasingly dominant style. Against Estonia, however, the team had to wait until the second half to finally break their resistance. Once they did, the floodgates opened.

Sørloth opened the scoring in the 50th minute, finishing a strong cross from Sander Berge. Just two minutes later, he struck again following a precise assist from Julian Ryerson, who also played a key role in the third goal. In the 56th minute, Ryerson set up Haaland, allowing the Manchester City striker to extend the lead. The 4–0 came shortly after, when David Møller Wolfe delivered a cross that Haaland finished with ease. Estonia could only pull one back late in the match through Robi Saarma.

Haaland Breaks Records… and Now He Smells the World Cup

Haaland’s present needs no embellishment: 30 goals this season with his club and 53 goals in 47 matches with Norway, numbers that have turned him into one of the most dominant forwards on the planet. The only thing missing from his résumé is the biggest stage of all.

Now, that long-standing gap is on the verge of being filled. With Norway just one win —or one Italian slip— away from sealing qualification, the World Cup dream of the Nordic giant is closer than ever. And if this team has shown anything, it’s that they have no intention of easing off on their road to 2026.