When you think of total soccer domination, Norway’s 11-1 win over Moldova in their World Cup qualifier might now be one of the first matches that comes to mind. Played in Oslo, the game was filled with goals, records, and eye-catching stats. And, of course, the spotlight once again fell on Norway’s superstar striker, Erling Haaland, who scored five goals in the rout.
Let’s dive into the story, break down the numbers, and see why this match could go down as one of the most memorable in Norway’s soccer history.
Haaland: A Goal Machine That Just Won’t Stop
If you follow soccer, you already know about Erling Haaland. At just 25 years old, he’s one of the most feared strikers in the world. For Manchester City, he often slows down a little to fit the team’s style. But when he puts on the red of Norway, it feels like he’s playing in “beast mode.”
Against Moldova, Haaland scored five goals in one game. That’s something you don’t see very often, even from the best players. With those goals, Haaland has now scored in eight straight games for Norway, piling up 14 goals in that span.
Here’s a fun soccer fact: Haaland now has 47 goals in 45 starts for Norway. That means he’s scored more goals than the number of games he’s started! Very few international players can say that. For comparison, Lionel Messi reached 40 international goals after 89 appearances, while Cristiano Ronaldo needed 106 games to get there. Haaland is on another level.
Records in the Making
Haaland’s five-goal performance reminded many soccer historians of Austria’s Hans Krankl, who once scored six goals against Malta in 1977 in a World Cup qualifier. While Haaland didn’t break that record, he made Norwegian history by becoming the first player of the 21st century from Norway to score four or more goals in a single game.
What makes his performance even scarier? He only needed 10 shots to get those five goals. His shots created an xG (expected goals) of 2.53, meaning that statistically, he should have scored around two or three goals. But Haaland’s finishing ability pushed that number much higher. He also had 17 touches inside Moldova’s penalty area and even added two assists for his teammates.
Super Sub of the Match: Thelo Aasgaard
While Haaland grabbed the headlines, another Norwegian player had a night to remember. Thelo Aasgaard, a midfielder who plays for Rangers in Scotland, came off the bench in the 64th minute. Many fans hadn’t even heard much about him before this game. But in less than half an hour, Aasgaard scored four goals!
Think about that for a moment: a substitute came on and almost matched Haaland’s tally. Aasgaard needed only six shots and 18 touches of the ball to score those goals, with 10 of those touches inside the penalty area. His expected goals (xG) was 2.34, but like Haaland, he beat the stats by finishing with style.
Aasgaard’s performance was so quick and efficient that some are already calling him the “super sub of the year.”
Norway’s Incredible xG Numbers
In modern soccer, analysts love talking about xG, which stands for expected goals. It’s a statistic that measures how likely a shot is to become a goal based on the position and angle.
Before this game, the highest xG ever measured in a top-level competition was 7.20, when Liverpool beat Newcastle 4-2 in January 2024. But against Moldova, Norway broke that record with an xG of 7.55.
And it gets better: Norway’s xGOT (expected goals on target) was an incredible 9.48. That means their shots were so well placed that, statistically, they were expected to produce almost 10 goals. In the end, they got 11.
After this match, Norway’s total xG across five qualifiers is 19.13, the highest in all of Europe right now. That’s ahead of Croatia (15.31 from four games) and the Czech Republic (12.34 from five games).
Historic Win for Norway
This was not just any win—it was one for the history books. Norway scored 11 goals in a single match for the third time ever, and the first time in 77 years.
Their biggest win was a 12-0 victory over Finland in 1946.
Two years later, they beat the United States 11-0.
Now, in 2025, they’ve done it again by crushing Moldova 11-1.
According to match stats, Norway took 34 shots, with 18 on target. They created 18 big chances and had a stunning 81 touches inside Moldova’s penalty area.
Here’s another cool fact: there were no offsides called in the entire match. That shows how well Norway timed their attacking runs.
Midfield Magic: Odegaard and Berge
While the strikers got the goals, Norway’s midfield also shined. Sander Berge, who plays for Fulham, had 142 touches of the ball, the most in the game. Right behind him was Norway’s captain, Martin Ødegaard, with 135 touches.
Ødegaard, who also captains Arsenal in the English Premier League, continues to prove he’s the brain of this Norwegian team. His calmness and vision in midfield helped set the tempo for the 11-goal explosion.
Why This Win Matters
Norway hasn’t been to a World Cup since 1998. That’s more than 25 years of waiting for the fans. But with Haaland, Ødegaard, and now Aasgaard stepping up, the dream is very much alive.
This win not only boosts their confidence but also strengthens their position in the qualifying group. With such a high-scoring attack and solid midfield control, Norway looks ready to finally make a return to the world’s biggest soccer stage.
Soccer Fact Corner ⚽
The biggest win in World Cup qualifying history was Australia’s 31-0 victory over American Samoa in 2001.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international soccer with over 120 goals. Haaland, with 47 already, could one day challenge that if he stays consistent.
Norway’s defense might not get as much attention, but allowing just one goal in a game where you push forward constantly is also impressive.
Final Whistle
Norway’s 11-1 victory over Moldova wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Haaland showed why he’s considered one of the world’s deadliest finishers, Aasgaard announced himself to the soccer world with a four-goal cameo, and the team overall put up historic stats.
If Norway keeps playing like this, fans might want to start preparing for a World Cup trip in 2026. With Ødegaard pulling the strings, Berge controlling the midfield, and Haaland smashing records, this team has all the ingredients to make history.
