Erling Haaland is now Norway's all-time top scorer. The striker struck twice on Thursday evening in the Nations League match against Slovenia and, at the remarkably young age of 24, has already crowned himself the most prolific Norwegian ever. He now has 34 goals.
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Erling Haaland’s 1-0 goal in Oslo, during his 36th international appearance, marked a pivotal moment in Norwegian football history.
With that goal, Haaland equaled the long-standing record held by Jørgen Juve, who had scored 33 goals for Norway back in 1937. Juve’s record had stood untouched for more than 80 years, making Haaland’s achievement particularly significant. The legendary Juve, who was also a successful journalist and lawyer, symbolized Norwegian football's early golden era. To reach his record, Haaland needed far fewer matches, demonstrating not only his natural talent but also his meteoric rise as a football phenomenon.
At just 24 years old, Haaland had already scored 33 goals in an astonishingly short time, breaking through a record many thought would endure for much longer. Known for his ruthless finishing, unmatched speed, and uncanny ability to find space, Haaland's contribution to the national team has gone beyond just statistics. His impact has been felt in the resurgence of Norway as a formidable force in European football, a team now capable of competing with the continent's best.
However, Haaland is not one to settle for matching records. As those who have watched his journey from his early days in Molde, through his record-breaking stints at Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, and now Manchester City know, Haaland’s hunger for goals is insatiable. Scoring one goal is rarely enough to satisfy the striker, and that was evident once again on this historic night in Oslo. After putting his name in the record books with his first goal, Haaland continued to assert his dominance on the pitch, constantly pressing and searching for more opportunities to score.
Norway's second goal of the evening came from Alexander Sorløth, a rising star in his own right. Sorløth’s goal gave Norway a comfortable 2-0 lead, but the night clearly belonged to Haaland, who was far from done. With his relentless pace and tenacity, Haaland seized the opportunity to score a second goal, completing Norway’s 3-0 win and, more importantly, making him the sole record holder as the country’s all-time top scorer with 34 goals.
To fully appreciate Haaland's accomplishment, it’s worth looking at the names he surpassed on the list of Norway’s greatest goal scorers. Jørgen Juve's 33 goals had made him a national hero, and players like John Carew, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Tore André Flo had all left their mark on Norwegian football history as well. Carew, who was known for his physical presence and ability to dominate in the air, finished his international career with 24 goals. Solskjaer, the "super sub" who became famous at Manchester United, managed 23 goals, tied with Flo, another Norwegian star who had shone in England. Behind them are Steffen Iversen, with 21 goals, and Joshua King, who has 20.
What makes Haaland’s feat even more remarkable is the speed at which he has climbed to the top of this illustrious list. While the others took many more years and appearances to reach their totals, Haaland has done it in a fraction of the time, signaling that he is only getting started. At just 24 years old, he still has many years ahead of him to extend his record, potentially putting it out of reach for future generations.
Haaland’s rise to the top has not only been felt in Norway. His exploits in club football, particularly his current form at Manchester City, have made him one of the most feared and talked-about strikers in the world. He joined City in 2022 for a hefty transfer fee but quickly proved his worth by breaking numerous Premier League and Champions League records. His physical attributes standing at 1.94 meters tall, with a muscular build and incredible speed make him a nightmare for defenders. But beyond his physique, it is his sharp footballing intelligence, positioning, and deadly finishing that truly set him apart.
At the international level, Haaland’s dominance offers hope for a Norwegian national team that has often struggled on the world stage. Alongside players like Sorløth and Martin Ødegaard, Norway now has a squad with the potential to qualify for major tournaments like the European Championship and World Cup and, perhaps, even make a deep run. Haaland’s presence on the field forces opponents to dedicate extra resources to containing him, often opening up space for his teammates to exploit.
Looking ahead, Haaland’s goal-scoring record seems destined to grow exponentially. Norway’s upcoming fixtures, especially in competitions like the UEFA Nations League and World Cup qualifiers, provide Haaland with plenty of opportunities to add to his tally. If he continues at his current pace, it is not hard to imagine him pushing past 50 or even 60 international goals by the time his career ends, leaving behind a legacy that may never be surpassed.
Haaland’s rise is emblematic of the new generation of footballers who combine athleticism, technique, and tactical awareness in ways that redefine what it means to be a striker. For Norway, Haaland represents hope a beacon of what the future might hold as the national team dreams of returning to major tournaments and competing on the global stage. For Haaland himself, this is just another chapter in a career that seems destined for greatness. Whether at the club or international level, Erling Haaland is writing history, one goal at a time.
Updated: 10:18, 11 Oct 2024
