This week, football fans witnessed a seismic shift in the global game—and it’s coming from the north.
Erling Haaland continued his monster form with a second-half hat trick against Everton, propelling Manchester City to the top of the Premier League table. Pep Guardiola called him “a beast,” and with 12 goals in 8 matches, the Norwegian striker is rewriting the record books.
But Haaland isn’t the only Viking making waves. Norway’s national team, once considered a fringe contender, has officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Led by Martin Ødegaard and a new generation of talent, they’re being hailed as the dark horse to watch.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo added another chapter to his legendary career. In Portugal’s 2-2 draw with Hungary, he scored twice—breaking yet another international scoring record before being denied a third by Irish keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
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- Tuchel’s England Triumph: England sealed their World Cup spot with a dominant win over Latvia, and manager Thomas Tuchel called it “a special moment”.
- Mbappé Magic: France breezed past Azerbaijan with goals from Mbappé, Rabiot, and Thauvin, keeping their unbeaten streak alive.
- Bodo/Glimt’s Champions League Dream: The Norwegian champions are set to face European giants in the 2025–26 group stage.
📈 Why It Matters
The rise of Norway isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a warning shot to traditional powers. With Haaland and Ødegaard leading the charge, and Ronaldo still defying time, the beautiful game is entering a new era of global parity.