MANCHESTER: When Erling Haaland walked off the pitch at the San Siro stadium after helping seal Norway’s first World Cup berth since 1998, it was the culmination of a mission the 25-year-old has carried on his shoulders for years. Haaland bagged a double in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Italy on Sunday to bring his extraordinary scoring tally in 2026 World Cup qualifying to 16 goals, twice any other player in Europe. His total includes five goals in an 11-1 thrashing of Moldova and a goal in at least one in each of Norway’s eight matches.

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Norway thrashed Italy 4-1 to clinch their place at the World Cup while Portugal qualified after thrashing Armenia 9-1 with hat-tricks for Bruno Fernandes and João Neves

MANCHESTER: When Erling Haaland walked off the pitch at the San Siro stadium after helping seal Norway’s first World Cup berth since 1998, it was the culmination of a mission the…