Erling Haaland: the relentless force behind Norway's World Cup dream

Norway's Erling Haaland and Italy's Gianluca Mancin. Pic: AP Photo/Luca Bruno.

When Erling Haaland walked off the pitch at the San Siro stadium after helping seal Norway's first World Cup berth since 1998, it was the culmination of a mission the 25-year-old has carried on his shoulders for years.

Haaland bagged a double in Sunday's 4-1 win over Italy on Sunday to bring his extraordinary scoring tally in 2026 World Cup qualifying to 16 goals, twice any other player in Europe.