Norwegian striker Erling Haaland moved past Brazil’s Ronaldo and Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the list of international goalscorers after scoring twice in Norway’s 3-2 win over Denmark on Thursday in the opening round of the Nations League. The brace took the Manchester City striker’s international tally for Norway to 64 goals, scored in just 56 appearances.
Haaland surpasses Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic
Haaland therefore overtook Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic, who each ended their international careers with 62 goals, according to data included in match reports. Norway opened the scoring through Oscar Bobb in the 14th minute, before Haaland added his first goal four minutes later to give his side a two-goal lead.
Denmark pulled a goal back through Mikkel Damsgaard in the 25th minute, with Norway leading at half-time. In the 60th minute, Rasmus Højlund brought Denmark level, but Haaland restored Norway’s lead with his second goal in the 74th minute, securing a 3-2 victory.
Haaland reached 64 international goals at a rate of more than one per match, continuing to strengthen his scoring record for Norway. The speed with which he reached that tally is highlighted by comparison with Ibrahimovic, who needed 122 appearances to score his 62 international goals for Sweden.
UEFA had placed Ibrahimovic on its list of Europe’s leading goalscorers after he ended his international career with 62 goals, before Haaland moved ahead of him with his two goals against Denmark.
