Norway faced Israel in World Cup qualification on Saturday, with Erling Haaland's team having the chance to take another huge step towards World Cup qualification.
Stale Solbakken's side went into the match with five wins out of five in Group I and Haaland in supreme goalscoring form.
The Manchester City superstar scored five in an 11-1 evisceration of Moldova in their previous match.
The Israel game took place against a backdrop of pro-Palestinian protests.
Were there protests at Norway vs. Israel?
Despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas coming into effect this week, supporters outside the ground marched in protest against Israeli military action in Palestine.
Inside the stadium, there were several large Palestinian flags, along with a banner that read "Let Children Live".
Norway fans unveiled a massive Palestine flag during their match against Israel tonight, with the message “Let children live.”
— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) October 11, 2025
Many Palestinian flags can also be seen throughout the stadium. pic.twitter.com/ENkrBdVgJl
The Norwegian federation (NFF) president, Lise Klaveness, spoke out in September, stating that if UEFA has banned Russia for its military aggression in Ukraine, then Israel should also be punished.
The NFF has pledged that all proceeds from the match against Israel will go towards emergency humanitarian aid in Gaza.
The Israel Football Association criticised this step, saying that Norway should support both sides of the conflict. "It would be nice if some of the amount were directed towards trying to finding a condemnation by the Norwegian FA of the October 7 massacre that claimed the lives of hundreds of Israeli citizens and children," the Israeli FA said in a statement.
What did Erling Haaland do in Norway vs. Israel? Penalty woe to hat-trick hero
After the pre-match fervour, a familiar figure took centre stage. Although not initially in the way he would like.
Norway were awarded a sixth minute penalty and Haaland stepped up, looking confident of scoring his 10th goal of qualification.
However, Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz guessed correctly, diving to his right to make a superb save. The referee ordered the penalty to be retaken due to encroachment, only for Peretz to read Haaland's intention to go to the opposite corner and save once more.
Normal service was resumed soon enough as Haaland scored in the 27th minute in between a pair of Israel own goals.
After halftime, Haaland scored twice more to complete his hat-trick.
MORE: Standings, fixtures, schedule, and results for UEFA's 2026 World Cup qualifying
Erling Haaland international goals
Haaland's latest hat-trick moved him on to 12 goals in just six qualification matches.
His second goal of the game was a landmark effort, his 50th in Norway colours.
The 25-year-old has 51 goals in just 46 full international appearances.