Haaland in celebration mood. Image credit: Tribalfootball

Norway’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Israel was their sixth in this cycle and ninth in succession, their longest-ever winning run on the international stage.

Israel set their stall out from the very beginning of this match with a five-man defence, though it took just two minutes for Erling Haaland to have the first shot at goal.

In the melee that followed, the hosts were awarded a contentious penalty after Patrick Berg was tripped. Haaland’s spot-kick was saved low to his right by Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, but it had to be retaken because of encroachment. This time Peretz adopted some mind games and dived to his left to save again from a clearly irritated Haaland.

It would be 10 minutes before the visitors had a shot at goal, with Anan Khalaili’s effort way off target. The same player’s second shot was even less accurate, though Israel were seeing their fair share of the ball with Manor Solomon particularly prominent.

With 18 minutes on the clock, a floated cross from Alexander Sorloth intended for Antonio Nusa actually found Khalaili’s shoulder as he turned away, and the ball cannoned off him and into the net.

Two smart saves from Norwegian custodian Orjan Nyland kept Israel at bay, and in the very next attack, Haaland’s driving run and slide rule finish put daylight between the two sides.

Just over a minute later, Peretz’s attempt at a clearance cannoned off his own player Idan Nachmias, and into the net for a second OG of the night. In the process, Nachmias was injured and immediately forced off.

The rest of the first half passed without incident, with the hosts remaining on the front foot throughout.

Nusa skied the first chance of the second half as the pattern continued, with Norway the more creative and purposeful in possession. Apart from some sporadic forays upfield, Israel appeared intent on just ensuring that no further goals were scored against them.

Though Solomon and Dan Biton were doing their best to put Norway on the back foot, a lack of support saw Israel’s attacks consistently broken down.

Just after the hour mark, any hope of a comeback was dashed when Nusa found Haaland to power home a header for his 50th goal for his country.

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