Erling Haaland has matched France captain Kylian Mbappe and Argentina captain Lionel Messi with 7 goals each, establishing himself as a leading contender for the Golden Boot. Kathmandu, 22 Ashar. Regarded as one of the world’s top strikers, Erling Haaland is delivering an exceptional performance in his first FIFA World Cup. With Haaland’s outstanding play, Norway, returning to the World Cup after 28 years, have advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in this North American 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nicknamed the ‘goal machine’ for both club and country, Haaland has maintained this high level of performance in his inaugural World Cup. On Monday, Haaland’s two goals helped Norway defeat five-time world champions Brazil 2-1 in an exhilarating Round of 16 match. This was Norway’s fourth appearance in a World Cup, but their first historic win to reach the quarterfinal stage. Meanwhile, Brazil faced elimination in the Round of 16 for the first time in 36 years. With this victory, Norway extended their undefeated streak against Brazil to five matches. Brazil failed to convert their first-half penalty opportunity, and Haaland scored twice in the final 11 minutes of the second half: first with a header in the 79th minute and then doubling the lead 10 minutes later. Neymar later scored a penalty in injury time to reduce the deficit.
In the Golden Boot race, Haaland competes alongside Mbappe and Messi. He has scored a joint highest total of 7 goals so far. Mbappe leads with 7 goals and 2 assists, while Messi has claimed second place with fewer minutes played than Haaland. Neither Messi nor Haaland have recorded assists in this tournament. Norway has played five matches in this World Cup, winning four and losing only once—to France in the group stage, a match in which Haaland was rested. Haaland has scored in all four games he played in: he netted twice each against Iraq and Senegal in group play, sat out against France, scored once versus Ivory Coast in the Round of 32, and added two more goals against Brazil in the Round of 16. In the upcoming quarterfinal, Norway will face the winner of Mexico vs. England, presenting Haaland another opportunity to increase his goal tally.
Following the defeat of five-time champions Brazil, Haaland has emerged as the most dangerous player on the field. Known globally as a lethal striker, Haaland boasts an outstanding goal-scoring rate. With 7 goals in 4 World Cup matches, he has accumulated 62 goals in 54 games for Norway. Among international footballers who have scored over 60 goals, Haaland’s scoring frequency is remarkable—averaging a goal every 15 minutes of play. Currently in peak form, he has scored 27 goals in Norway’s last 14 competitive matches. Haaland also holds the ‘goal machine’ reputation at club level with Manchester City, and continues to demonstrate exceptional performance for both club and country on the world’s biggest stage.
