Erling Haaland gave a classy pep talk to Moldova goalkeeper Cristian Avram after Norway scored 11 goals past him in a World Cup qualifying game. The Manchester City star scored five and provided an assist as Norway took a step closer to qualifying for the 2026 tournament. The Norwegian bagged his fifth international hat-trick and took his goals tally to 48 in 45 matches for Norway.
Haaland's pep talk to Moldova keeper revealedScored five goals past the custodianNorway humiliated Moldova 11-1Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After one of the worst nights of his professional career, Avram revealed that he had a chat with Haaland, where the City striker gave him an inspiring pep talk. Haaland registered five goals in the match and an assist, while Thelo Aasgaard scored four. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Felix Horn Myhre were also on target for Norway in an emphatic victory.
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Speaking to , the goalkeeper said: "Hello, I'm the goalkeeper for Moldova and I conceded eleven goals. I spoke to Erling. He said, 'It’s not my fault,' and that he just had to keep trying to score because of the goal difference. I understand him. It's part of the game. He wanted to keep fighting."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Haaland took his international goals tally to 48 in 45 appearances for Norway. The quintet of strikes marked his personal best in international colours and the most by a European player in a World Cup qualifier since Hans Krankl’s six for Austria in 1977.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND?
Haaland will now hope to translate his form from international football to his club as City prepare to face rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.