Haaland Shines in Norway's 4-2 Victory Over Israel in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Debrecen, Hungary - Norway continued its strong performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers by securing a 4-2 victory over Israel on Tuesday. The match, held in Debrecen, saw Manchester City striker Erling Haaland headline Norway's offense, contributing significantly to the team's win.

Norway started strong with defender David Moller Wolfe scoring the first goal in the 39th minute. The momentum shifted briefly when Israel's Mohammed Abu Fani equalized for the home side, leveling the score in the 55th minute with a deflected shot that caught Norway's goalkeeper off guard. However, Norway quickly regained control just two minutes later, with Alexander Sorloth scoring a powerful header after a corner kick, restoring their lead.

Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer followed up with a close-range goal in the 65th minute, and Haaland capped off the scoring for Norway, evading the Israeli defense before slotting the ball into the net. Israel's Dor Turgeman managed to score in added time, but it was too late to affect the outcome.

With this win, Norway moves three points ahead in Group I, while Israel slips further down the rankings. Estonia also climbed into a competitive position in the group after securing a 3-2 victory over Moldova, where both teams finished the match with ten players.

Wales Snags Last-Minute Draw

In another qualifying match, Wales rallied against North Macedonia to secure a 1-1 draw in Skopje. The match seemed destined for a scoreless finish until late-game drama unfolded. Substitute David Brooks was key in the closing moments. After a misplaced backward pass from veteran midfielder Joe Allen allowed North Macedonia’s Bojan Miovski to score, Wales responded with urgency. With time almost expired, Kieffer Moore set up Brooks, who managed to score a scrappy equalizer that bobbled past the North Macedonian defense.

This last-gasp goal came after the referee indicated four minutes of added time, and Wales salvaged a point from a challenging match. The result leaves Wales and North Macedonia tied for first place in Group J, each with four points from two games.

Meanwhile, Montenegro claimed a 1-0 victory against the Faroe Islands with a dramatic last-minute goal, maintaining their challenge for the top position in their qualifying group.

As the qualifying process continues, teams are aiming to establish a strong footing before the top seeds rejoin the competition in June. Norway and Wales have made significant strides, setting the stage for an exciting qualifying campaign ahead.

Upcoming Matches

The next rounds of qualifying matches promise further action as teams vie for a chance to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching the performances of all participating nations as the road to the World Cup unfolds.