Erling Haaland’s hat-trick for Norway against Israel on Saturday night placed him in football’s history books once again, as the Manchester City striker surpassed Brazil legend Pelé’s long-standing record by reaching 50 international goals in fewer appearances.
The Norwegian striker, who continues to redefine modern goalscoring, achieved the milestone during Norway’s emphatic 5–0 victory over Israel in Oslo. It was a night where every touch seemed destined for the net, and Haaland’s performance reflected both form and confidence at their peak.
Haaland’s Record-Breaking Milestone
Haaland’s second goal of the evening marked his 50th international strike for Norway — an achievement reached in just his 46th appearance for the national team. In doing so, the 24-year-old became only the sixth male footballer in history to score 50 international goals in fewer than 50 games, and notably, the first to achieve that feat in 53 years.
His accomplishment places him fifth in the all-time rankings for the fastest to reach 50 international goals, edging ahead of Pelé, who required 49 appearances to hit the same number. The comparison is extraordinary, given Pelé’s era and reputation as one of football’s greatest ever talents.
At club level, Haaland’s scoring form remains equally astonishing. The Manchester City talisman has netted 12 goals in just nine games this season, maintaining the kind of ruthless efficiency that has made him a nightmare for defenders across Europe.
Statistics only underline what many already believe — that Haaland is not merely a prolific goalscorer but a generational talent redefining expectations for forwards. When placed alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the same stage of their international careers, Haaland’s record appears even more striking.
After 46 games for Portugal, Ronaldo had found the net just 17 times, while Messi had scored 13 goals for Argentina. Haaland, by contrast, has reached the 50-goal mark in less than half a century of matches, a feat that speaks volumes about his impact and consistency on the global stage.
“There are no words to describe him,” Norway assistant coach Kent Bergersen said after the match. “There are no words that can do him justice. He scores goals in every possible way.”
Despite the dominant scoreline, Haaland’s evening was not without its moments of frustration. He missed a golden opportunity to add to his tally when his first-half penalty was saved by the Israeli goalkeeper. The referee ordered a retake after spotting an infringement — yet Haaland, uncharacteristically, failed to convert the second attempt as well.
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His manager, Ståle Solbakken, offered a lighthearted take on the rare miss, saying, “I discovered that he’s from the same planet as the rest of us,” prompting laughter in the post-match press conference.
Teammate Alexander Sørloth also praised Haaland’s relentless drive and improvement, even after such a dominant performance. “You think you’ve seen everything, but he just gets better and better,” Sørloth said. “There’s nothing he can’t do. His statistics are unbelievable.”
Erling Haaland‘s hat-trick for Norway against Israel was more than just a victory; it was a statement of intent ahead of their upcoming European fixtures. With Haaland in this kind of form, few would bet against him climbing even higher in football’s all-time scoring charts before long.
The City striker himself admitted recently that he feels stronger and more confident than ever before — sentiments that mirror his remarkable performances in both domestic and international football.
His explosive start to the season for Manchester City, coupled with his consistency for Norway, suggests he is entering a new phase of his career where records may continue to tumble at a relentless pace.
