It’s not exactly revelatory information that Erling Haaland is good at putting the ball in the net.
The Manchester City star has scored at a rate in excess of four goals every five games in all competitions since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2022, which is pretty absurd.
But even by Haaland’s own ridiculous standards, his numbers for his country almost defy comprehension.
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Erling Haaland’s goalscoring record for Norway is even more ridiculous than you might expect
At 25 years old, Haaland is top of Norway’s list of all-time leading goalscorers with 62 goals. The previous record holder, Jorgen Juve, scored 33, the last of which came in 1934.
Haaland has scored as many World Cup goals in his maiden tournament this summer as Romelu Lukaku and Luis Suarez have in their careers, and just one fewer than Diego Maradona. All three of them played at four World Cups.
But most frightening for England ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final in Miami: Haaland has scored in every one of his past 14 competitive games for Norway.
That run contains a total of 27 goals including three hat-tricks – one of which was part of a five-goal haul in an 11-1 win over Moldova.
It also includes braces against Brazil, Senegal and Italy, none of whom are exactly minnows of world football.
Mind you, we do have to specify competitive games, because Haaland did draw a blank in both of his last two friendlies before the World Cup.
That was a goalless draw against Switzerland in March, in which Haaland played 63 minutes, and a 1-1 draw against Morocco, where he played 72 minutes.
One particular key for England may be to ensure they maintain their concentration and individual intensity deep into the game.
That’s because Haaland has made a real habit of scoring later on in games at this World Cup and in the build-up to it – particularly against stronger opposition.
The first goal of Haaland’s double against Brazil came in the 79th minute. His winner against Ivory Coast was scored in the 86th. Both his goals against Senegal came in the second half.
Last November he got braces against Italy and Estonia. His first against Italy was in the 78th minute; and against Estonia, the 56th minute.
That makes Iraq the only side Haaland has scored against in the first half of any of his past eight games for Norway.
You also have to go all the way back to February for the last time Haaland scored before the 65th minute in a Premier League game…though the fact he did so against Liverpool and Real Madrid in cup competition in the interim rather takes the comfort out of that.
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