Haaland’s three goals against Gibraltar meant he was ahead by an impressive 12 goals in the first 15 internationals he has played in.

Even compared to the world’s stars these days, the numbers are very good.

Two of the featured and often cited as the greatest footballers of all time, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, had to score 36 and 34 international goals respectively to reach 12 goals, as did Haaland against Gibraltar.

England’s top scorer Wayne Rooney also has 36 international caps to play, while Brazilian superstar Neymar must have seven more games than goalscorers Norway.

degaard is dumbfounded

NRK reads out these numbers for national team captain Martin degaard. Like everyone else, he was amazed by what Jærbuen had accomplished.

– The numbers speak for themselves. Not much else to say, really. This is really crazy. We were lucky to have him, and it just took his hat off, degaard told NRK.

When asked by Dagbladet how degaard compares Haaland to other world stars, the Arsenal man was clear in his speech:

– I would say that he is among the greatest. Again, the numbers speak for themselves. He didn’t back down for anyone. “We are lucky to have him,” said degaard.

National team manager Ståle Solbakken also praised his world starlet.

– He’s going to do something historic. “But what I enjoy most is the responsibility he has taken on in the group here, realizing that he is playing for Norway and that we may not have everything Dortmund have in their toolbox,” Solbakken told NRK.

Haaland himself was only interviewed by TV 2 license holders after Tuesday’s game. He, despite his hat-trick, wasn’t too happy with his own efforts.

– I didn’t score enough goals, but the average was close to a point. “I personally think that I should have scored more goals than the game,” said Braut Haaland, who scored a total of five goals this week for the national team.

– Erling is the rudest we’ve ever seen in Norwegian football. I see no reason for it to stop. There’s no suggesting that he won’t get past everyone (in Norway), Ståle Solbakken said of Haaland.

Only four Norwegians have reached double-digit national team goals in fewer games than Haaland:

• Jørgen Juve – 8 matches (1929)
• Odd Wang Sørensen – 9 games (1948)
• Einar Gundersen – 12 games (1920)
• Finn Berstad – 12 games (1927)

The previous player to reach ten national team goals for Norway in less than Haaland was Odd Wang Sørensen 73 years ago.

Solbakken: – Runs 3-4 years

Now everyone is asking themselves. When will Haaland take the record from Jørgen Juve (33 goals) and become Norway’s all-time top scorer?

– It might take 3-4 years, maybe. “But it helps if we make it to the playoffs, then there will be a few extra games,” said Solbakken.

Braut Haaland himself is silent about the record.

– You can probably imagine what I’m doing, he said with a sly smile.

Team-mate degaard, who played a brilliant game against Gibraltar, made sure to send a shot at Haaland at his post-match press conference.

– Erling probably owes me some goal points, so I wasn’t completely happy with him today, said degaard with a twinkle in his eye.

Norway’s remaining matches in the group stage are as follows:

08.10: Turkey – Norway
11.10: Norway – Montenegro
13.11: Norway – Latvia
16.11: Netherlands – Norway

The group winners will advance directly to the World Cup, while the two will have a playoff match from 24 to 29 March 2022. There, 12 teams, the ten group runners-up and the two best Nations League teams, will battle it out for the group winners. the last three World Cup tickets.

The World Cup in Qatar will be played in November and December 2022.