Erling Haaland bagged yet another hat-trick on Saturday evening against Israel during Norway's 5-0 win in World Cup Qualifying - his second of the qualification campaign.
His haul marked his tally up to 12 in just six games, leaving the forward just four goals off Polish international Robert Lewandowski's record 16 which he chalked up through 10 matches during qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
This leaves the 25-year-old with two matches - Estonia at home and a visit to Italy - in November's international break to find four goals or more to match or break the record.
Haaland's record this year and this season in front of goal has been nothing short of incrdedible.
Firstly, out of the 12 matches he has played in this season, he has found the net in all but one game - the 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. His hat-trick against Israel also marked his 51st international goal from just 46 games.
ERLING HAALAND. 🤯
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 11, 2025
🇳🇴 Hat-trick today for Norway.
📈 51 goals in 46 international appearances.
🔥 10 straight games with a goal.
⚽️ 21 goals in 12 games for club & country!
📊 24 goal contributions in 12 games this season.
🏆 Leading Norway to their first World Cup in 28 years!… pic.twitter.com/by3481esZh
Moreover, his stats for both club and country during this calendar year have been utterly ludicrous! In 2025, the machine has recorded a remarkable 63 goal contributions in just 41 games - 52 goals and 11 assists. These stats include his 14 involvements throughout Norway's World Cup Qualifying, as well as his nine goals in seven matches for Manchester City.
The start of this season could not have gone much better either for the Norwegian, with his numbers becoming borderline comparable to - or at least somewhat very respectable in comparison to - Messi's record-breaking haul in 2012.
That year, the Argentine mustered up an iconic 91 goals and 22 assists in 69 appearances. Although Haaland may not get too close to either tally, as he would require a further 39 goals from just 20 games for club and country should he play in all matches possible. However, with Haaland's extraordinary start to the campaign, he will end up recording a very respectable attempt at it.
Another major permutation as a result of Haaland's performance is that Norway have now achieved 18 points out of a possible 18. After Italy recorded a comfortable win in Tallinn, there is now six points between the two sides with three matchdays left - although the Nordic nation only has two games to go.
This makes Norway's trip to Italy on November 16, on the last day of World Cup Qualifying so vital for both nations, with Norway only requiring a draw to qualify for the competition should they defeat Estonia three days prior.
Even if Italy do defeat Norway at home, the hosts may not earn automatic qualification due to Norway's current far superior goal differential - largely thanks to their 11-1 win over Moldova in September. Haaland scored five goals on that day, and his efforts throughout qualification could end up being the reason Norway return to the World Cup finals for the first time in the 21st century.
The last time Norway qualified for a major tournament was 25 years ago for EURO 2000...
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 10, 2025
Now they are currently 1st in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group with 5/5 wins. 🇳🇴👏 pic.twitter.com/iSajggE3tB
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