Back to Football
Breaking ⚽ Football 2 min read

Confident Haaland closing in on record after getting World Cup campaign off to great start

SV

Svend Bertil Frandsen

Published 15 hours ago

Norwegian international super striker Erling Braut Haaland equalled Kjetil Rekdal's record as Norway's all-time top scorer in World Cup history when he scored twice to help the Scandinavians on their way to a 4-1 win against Iraq in their first game of the 2026 World Cup. Now he wants the record for himself.

[p][b]"I have to tell him that I'm coming for that record. That's fun. I'm going to send him a little message",[/b] said [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/haaland-erling/UmV9iQmE/"]Erling Braut Haaland[/a] to VG.no after the match.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norway/8rP6JO0H/"]Norway[/a] now leads the World Cup Group I on goal difference ahead of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] after the first of three group matches at the World Cup.[/p][p][b]"It's great to debut in the World Cup and score two goals and win the match. I'm super happy. It was fun",[/b] said Haaland after the match.[/p][p]The Manchester City striker scored his 56th and 57th international goals in Norway’s first appearance in the tournament in 28 years, since qualifying for the knockout round at the 1998 World Cup in France, before Haaland was born.[/p][embed guid="83444a4b-d15d-4ba1-ae14-4738c89deb36" url="https://x.com/AzzaTalksFooty/status/2067012716116512789" social-type="twitter" /][p]Haaland said he is anxious to meet the expectations he created with this performance.[/p][p][b]“Of course I will try,”[/b] Haaland said. [b]“It’s about continuing and not thinking too much. It’s difficult at this stage. But I’ll focus on the next game) And of course, be happy. But also stay calm.”[/b][/p][p]"Look at the efficiency. Two goals. It was a mistake from the goalkeeper, but still a good goal", said former Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who works as an expert for American broadcaster Fox during the half-time break.[/p][p][b]"The first goal was nice, and the second even better"[/b], Haaland said subsequently to the channel.[/p][p]Norway's second game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a] on Monday, June 22, 2026[/p]

Related stories

⚽ Football New

Kane at the double as England produce exciting second-half display to see off Croatia

James Hilsum
⚽ Football New

Rafael van der Vaart issues apology for racist joke about Japan players

Alex Roberts
⚽ Football New

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez unfazed by underwhelming D.R. Congo result

Reuters
⚽ Football New

Battle of the Pensioners. The Czech vs. South Africa match will go down in history thanks to the coaches

Pavel Křiklan
⚽ Football New

Sebastien Desabre says D.R. Congo executed game plan in pivotal Portugal draw

Dennis Mabuka in Boston
⚽ Football New

Cristiano Ronaldo does little to quieten critics after anonymous display for Portugal

Reuters