Erling Haaland apologised to Moldova goalkeeper Cristian Avram after putting five goals past him. The Manchester City striker took his international goals tally to 48 after helping Norway thrash Moldova 11-1.
Haaland has enjoyed a strong start to the season after bagging two goals during Manchester City’s 4-0 thumping of Wolves last month before finding the back of the net against Brighton ahead of the international break. He scored the only goal of the game as Norway defeated Finland in a friendly last week before illustrating his prodigious talents once again during his nation’s World Cup qualifying victory over Moldova on Tuesday.
The result in Oslo extends Norway’s lead at the top of the Group I table, with Stale Solbakken’s side winning each of their first five qualifying clashes.
Meanwhile, Italy and Israel are level on nine points in the same group following their clash on Monday evening, with Estonia in fourth place ahead of Moldova, who are yet to pick up any points.
Avram chatted to Haaland after being humiliated by the 25-year-old at the Ullevaal Stadion. And he revealed the details of their conversation as he explained: “He said it wasn’t my fault. He was apologising to me for rushing after every goal. He said they had to keep going because of the goal difference.”
The scoreline meant Moldova slipped to their biggest defeat since their 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Denmark in 2018.
And Moldova boss Serghei Clescenco stated in his press conference in Norway: “It’s a shame for us. I don’t have much more to say. Each player has their own answer.
“They say they haven’t slept well and that we play too complicated. The players can say a lot, they all answer differently, but they don’t answer what I ask. That’s all I have to say.”
Haaland will now return to England to link up with his Manchester City team-mates ahead of his side’s Premier League derby with Manchester United on Sunday.
The Citizens, who endured a dismal season last time around, have underwhelmed in the early stages of the new campaign and have lost two of their first three league matches.
United, meanwhile, have picked up one win and one draw from their opening three league matches and go into Sunday’s encounter four places above Pep Guardiola’s side.
“It was a great game,” admitted a delighted Haaland after his five-goal haul. “We fought until the end. It was a historic night.”