The statistic underscored the scale of Haaland’s impact since arriving in English soccer in 2022. The forward had been central to Manchester City’s recent domestic and international success, while consistently rewriting record books at an unprecedented pace. His goal scoring average already ranks among the most prolific in the history of the English game.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, left a lasting legacy in England. During his first spell with Manchester United from 2003 to 2009, the Portugal international won three Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League crown, while also capturing the Ballon d’Or in 2008. Upon returning for the 2021–22 season, he added 18 league goals, reaffirming his elite level, though Haaland surpassed his overall club tally in roughly half the matches.

The two goals against Crystal Palace offered another clear example of Haaland’s elite instincts inside the penalty area. He opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a close range header before sealing the result late in the match from the penalty spot, continuing a trend of decisive contributions in key moments.

The Premier League’s all-time leading scorers

When considering Premier League goals only, the all-time record belongs to Alan Shearer, who finished his career with 260 goals, primarily with Newcastle United. He was followed by Harry Kane, who surpassed 213 league goals before departing for Bayern Munich. Other historic names on the list includes Wayne Rooney with 208, Mohamed Salah with 190, Andy Cole with 187, and Sergio Aguero with 184.

With 102 Premier League goals in just 113 appearances, Haaland positions himself to climb that list rapidly. If his current pace continues, he is projected as a legitimate candidate to challenge records once viewed as untouchable within the modern era of the league.

Beyond league history, Haaland is also closing in on Aguero’s long-standing goal scoring mark at Manchester City. At such an early stage of his career, discussions about his place among the club’s all-time greats already felt unavoidable, a testament to how quickly the Norwegian had reshaped expectations at the highest level of English soccer.

Haaland’s goal comes in the 43rd minute, a penalty he earns himself after a foul by Antonio Rudiger. This is Haaland’s third appearance at the Bernabeu, including the semifinals of the 2022-2023 Champions League and the quarterfinals of the 2023-2024 edition against Real Madrid. His rapid impact in such a high-profile stadium draws plenty of attention.

Messi, by comparison, took four official matches to score his first goal at the Santiago Bernabeu. He makes his debut there on November 19, 2005, in a 3-0 Barcelona victory, but doesn’t net his first Clásico goal at the stadium until March 10, 2007, in a 3-3 draw.

Messi’s best performances at the Bernabeu

Lionel Messi’s most memorable performances at the Santiago Bernabeu are tied to Barcelona’s most dominant victories. His breakout show came in the historic 2-6 win on May 2, 2009. In that match, Messi thrived as a false nine, scoring a double and providing a key assist. It was a masterclass that cemented the start of Pep Guardiola’s golden era at Barcelona.

Another unforgettable night came on April 27, 2011, during the UEFA Champions League semifinals. In a tense atmosphere, Messi produced two decisive goals to secure a 0-2 victory. His second goal, a stunning solo effort past several Real Madrid defenders, is widely regarded as one of his finest. That performance helped Barcelona reach the final at Wembley, which they would ultimately win.

In La Liga, the 2013-2014 season featured an unforgettable hat trick on March 23, 2014, in a 3-4 win for Barcelona. Messi scored two penalties and one open-play goal, surpassing Alfredo Di Stefano as the all-time top scorer in El Clásico history. The match was an offensive showcase that was decided in the final minutes, with Messi as the standout performer.

Finally, the epic 2-3 victory on April 23, 2017, is remembered for Messi’s last-minute winner. Following a lightning-fast counterattack in stoppage time, Messi finished with his left foot to secure the win. His iconic celebration, holding up his shirt to the Real Madrid crowd, capped a night in which he scored a brace and demonstrated complete dominance at the Bernabeu.

During the FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule reveal, it was confirmed that France will face Norway on June 26, 2026, at Boston Stadium, with kickoff set for 15:00 ET.

This will be the final Group I match for both nations, and it could arrive with each team needing a victory to determine who advances as group leader, depending on the results of their previous games.

France’s complete schedule in Group I of the FIFA World Cup 2026

The full Group I schedule has now been revealed, with France facing several tough tests in its pursuit of reaching the final on July 19 at New York / New Jersey Stadium with the trophy in hand.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

• France vs Senegal – New York / New Jersey Stadium – 3:00 PM (ET)

Monday, June 22, 2026

• France vs Inter-confederation playoff Pathway 2 winner – Philadelphia Stadium – 5:00 PM (ET)

Friday, June 26, 2026

• France vs Norway – Boston Stadium – 3:00 PM (ET)

Norway’s complete schedule in Group I of the FIFA World Cup 2026

Norway is widely seen as a true contender in Group I and France’s biggest threat for the top spot in the group after a strong performance throughout the UEFA qualifiers.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

• Norway vs Inter-confederation playoff Pathway 2 winner – Boston Stadium – 6:00 PM (ET)

Monday, June 22, 2026

• Norway vs Senegal – New York / New Jersey Stadium – 8:00 PM (ET)

Friday, June 26, 2026

• Norway vs France – Boston Stadium – 3:00 PM (ET)

If Italy prevail over Norway today in the World Cup Qualifiers‘ last game, they will at least clinch their place in the playoffs. However, to seal a direct 2026 World Cup berth, Italy practically need a miracle as they have to win by nine or more goals. This scenario adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match.

Conversely, if Italy either draw or lose against Norway, they will have to navigate the playoff round in March to vie for the remaining spots in next year’s tournament, a situation Italy have faced in the last two World Cup qualification cycles.

It’s worth recalling that Italy fell short in their last two playoff appearances, being edged out by Sweden in 2017 and suffering a shock defeat to North Macedonia in 2022, thereby failing to secure World Cup berths on both occasions.

When did Italy last compete in the World Cup?

Italy last contested a World Cup group stage in 2014, in Brazil. They were ousted in the first round from a group that included Costa Rica, Uruguay, and England, marking a lackluster performance that was the tournament swansong for stalwarts like Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini.

Significantly, in 2018, Italy ended a record streak of 14 consecutive World Cup appearances dating back to 1958 in Switzerland. This setback marked a historic low for Italian soccer, as they have now missed out on consecutive World Cups, and their fan base is fervently hoping to avoid a third successive absence.

Norway on the verge of World Cup return

Norway, having endured a barren spell in their soccer history due to a talent void, have missed the last six editions of the World Cup. Yet, they now stand on the brink of securing a berth at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

A positive result against Italy today would mark Norway’s triumphant return to familiar territory, having previously competed in the World Cup in the United States in 1994, where they exited at the group stage.

Unsurprisingly, Erling Haaland will take the field today for Norway vs Italy in the World Cup Qualifiers. The Norwegian superstar was instrumental in his country’s last match, contributing two crucial goals in Norway’s 4-1 win over Estonia, bringing his total to 14 during the World Cup Qualifiers.

One key factor in Norway‘s favor against Italy today is their significant goal advantage. They can afford to lose or draw, provided the loss does not exceed a nine-goal difference, meaning their spot in the World Cup Group stage is within touching distance.

Italy, aware of the challenging scenario, are holding onto hopes of a miracle to secure a direct qualification to the next World Cup, following their last appearance in Brazil 2014, where they exited in the group stage against Costa Rica and Uruguay. However, chances are that the Azzurra have to settle with a playoff spot, as an Italy win against Norway could have the same impact of a draw or loss unless they pull off a truly comprehensive victory at San Siro.

Italy vs. Norway lineups

Italy and Norway are expected to give it their all in this high-stakes match. For Norway, Haaland and Alexander Sorloth are set to lead the charge, while Italy will be captained by Gianluigi Donnarumma, also in charge of stopping Norway’s powerful attack.

Italy’s lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
• Defenders: Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Gianluca Macini, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco
• Midfielders: Matteo Politano, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella, Davide Fratessi
• Forwards: Mateo Retegui, Sebastiano Esposito

Norway’s lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Orjan Nyland
• Defenders: David Moller Wolfe, Torbjorn Heggem, Kristoffer Ajer, Julian Ryerson
• Midfielders: Antonio Nusa, Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Kristian Thorstvedt
• Forwards : Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland

Norway scored four goals in 12 minutes in what was an absolute avalanche against Estonia. Yes, Haaland scored twice, but also Alexander Sorloth scored twice in in three minutes. It was a relentless effort early in the second half.

With the win, Norway rise to 21 points but the key part is the goal difference. For Italy (15 points) to win Group I of the World Cup qualifiers, they must win against Moldova, and then win against Norway too, but the goal difference is so huge in favor of Norway, that even if Italy beat them, it would have to be by a landslide.

Haaland is synonym of goals

Erling Haaland is a force of nature. The goal-scoring machine creates damage just by stepping near the opposing boxes. Per Fabrizio Romano, Haaland has 53 goals in 47 games with Norway.

It’s been 27 years since Norway last played in a World Cup. They needed the help from a generational talent to pretty much secure their spot in the next one. As it stands, only a disaster could prevent Norway from attending the 2026 World Cup.

Italy’s World Cup dreams are in serious danger

Italy lost to Norway in the first match of the qualifiers and have been perfect ever since. However, so have Norway, who have also scored 33 goals in seven games to Italy’s 18 goals in six games.

Italy won the World Cup in 2006 and it’s been a steep decline since then. The 2010 and 2014 World Cups saw them get eliminated in the group phase. After that, they missed the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. For a team that won four World Cups, missing three straight is as deep a crisis as it can have.

By scoring his team’s second goal in the win against Borussia Dortmund, Haaland joined Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players in Champions League history to score in the first four games of the competition in three different seasons.

The streak was established by Ronaldo in the 2013-14 season while playing for Real Madrid. He scored a hat-trick against Galatasaray in the inaugural matchday, followed by goals in the subsequent three fixtures against Copenhagen and Juventus (twice).

Ronaldo achieved the feat again in the 2017-18 season, scoring for Real Madrid against APOEL, Borussia Dortmund, and Tottenham (twice). His third time hitting the mark was in the 2021-22 season with Manchester United, scoring against Young Boys, Villarreal, and Atalanta (twice).

As for Haaland, the Norwegian forward first shocked the world during the 2019-20 season playing for Red Bull Salzburg when he scored a hat-trick in his Champions League debut against Genk, followed by strikes in the next three fixtures against Liverpool and Napoli (twice).

His run continued the following year in the 2020-21 season with Borussia Dortmund, where he scored against Lazio, Zenit, and Club Brugge (twice). Finally, the Norwegian equaled Cristiano Ronaldo in the current Champions League edition with Manchester City, scoring against Napoli, Monaco, Villarreal, and most recently, Borussia Dortmund.

Haaland sets a unique Champions League record

Haaland is enjoying an incredible scoring run this season, having tallied 27 goals in the 2025-26 season in just his 17th game for club and country. In the current Champions League campaign, Haaland has scored five goals in four games, enabling him to set a new world record: The Norwegian became the first player in Champions League history to score in five consecutive matches for three different clubs.

Haaland first hit a five-game consecutive scoring streak with Red Bull Salzburg in 2019, extended that streak to six consecutive matches in 2021 with Borussia Dortmund, and has now achieved the five-match scoring run again this season with Manchester City. His next Champions League fixture against Bayer Leverkusen will present him with the opportunity to extend his own record.

Messi’s career is a catalog of soccer milestones that are truly staggering. One of his most notable achievements has become nearly insurmountable, even for the next generation’s best. During the 2012-13 La Liga season, Messi didn’t just dominate—he transcended the sport, scoring in 21 consecutive league matches, the longest scoring streak in the history of Europe’s top leagues.

Across those 21 games, Messi netted 33 goals and became the first player to score against every opponent in a single season. He finished the campaign with 46 league goals, guiding Barcelona to 100 points under Tito Vilanova’s leadership.

It was an era defined by absolute dominance: four consecutive Ballon d’Or awards, 91 goals in a single calendar year, and consistency that turned elite soccer into his personal playground. Messi’s achievements during this period solidified his legacy as one of the greatest in the history of the sport.

Haaland’s streak ends

Erling Haaland’s 12-game scoring streak ended abruptly when Manchester City fell 1-0 to Aston Villa. The City’s first defeat since August 31 came courtesy of Matty Cash’s decisive strike, according to BBC Sport. Haaland even put the ball in the net in the closing minutes, but the goal was ruled offside, ending his hopes of challenging Messi’s record this season.

Mbappe and Kane fall short

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe’s 11-game streak came to an end against Juventus. The French star has been unstoppable with Real Madrid, scoring 43 goals in 44 appearances in 2025, yet even that level of consistency was not enough to threaten Messi’s historic mark.

Harry Kane’s 10-game scoring streak for Bayern Munich ended in a 3-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach. Despite scoring 20 goals in his first 13 matches, Kane fell short, though German media described his start to the season as “career-best.” Three elite strikers. Three record chases. All ended the same way.

To put Messi’s record in perspective, scoring in more than 10 consecutive matches is extraordinary in elite soccer. In the context of the Premier League, the record for consecutive scoring matches is 11, set by Jamie Vardy in the 2015-16 season—exactly half of Messi’s streak. The closest any European player has come to this mark was Gerd Müller, who scored in 16 consecutive Bundesliga matches more than half a century ago.

The Norwegian striker found the net in Manchester City’s 2–0 win over Villarreal, reaching 53 career goals in the Champions League. With that tally, Haaland continues to narrow the distance to Ronaldo, who leads with 140 goals, and Messi, who follows with 129.

Among active players, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe remain ahead of Haaland. The Barcelona forward has 105 goals, while the Real Madrid star sits at 60. Still, given Haaland’s incredible scoring pace this season, both could soon be within reach.

So far in 2025–26, the 25-year-old has been in remarkable form, recording 24 goals and three assists in just 14 appearances for both Manchester City and the Norwegian national team.

Haaland surpasses Ronaldo and Messi in key Champions League feat

While he’s still chasing Ronaldo and Messi’s overall totals, Haaland has already overtaken both in one major record. The City striker became the fastest player in history to reach 50 Champions League goals, doing so in just 49 matches. By comparison, Messi needed 66 games with Barcelona, while Ronaldo reached the milestone after 91 appearances with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Haaland also shattered the previous record held by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who required 62 games to hit the 50-goal mark. Other notable names on the list include Robert Lewandowski (77 games) and Kylian Mbappe (79 games).

Champions League all-time top 10 goal scorers

Haaland’s goal against Villarreal — his 53rd in the competition — placed him past Thierry Henry (50) into ninth place all-time. What sets him apart, however, is the sheer speed at which he’s achieved it: 49 games, compared to Henry’s 112.

Top 10 Champions League scorers (as of 2025):

• 1- Cristiano Ronaldo – 140 goals
• 2- Lionel Messi – 129 goals
• 3- Robert Lewandowski – 105 goals
• 4- Karim Benzema – 90 goals
• 5- Raul Gonzalez – 71 goals
• 6- Kylian Mbappe – 60 goals
• 7- Thomas Muller – 57 goals
• 8- Ruud van Nistelrooy – 56 goals
• 9- Erling Haaland – 53 goals
• 10- Thierry Henry – 50 goals

With his latest goal against Villarreal in Champions League, Haaland has now scored in 12 consecutive matches, matching Ronaldo’s streak from 2018 during his time with Real Madrid.

Mbappe, meanwhile, isn’t far behind. The French star has scored in 11 straight games for Real Madrid and will have a chance to equal the mark on Wednesday, October 22, when his team faces Juventus.

So far this season, the 25-year-old striker has been in sensational form, tallying 24 goals and three assists in just 14 appearances for both Manchester City and the Norwegian national team. His consistency and dominance in front of goal continue to strengthen his case as one of the world’s best strikers.

Haaland’s dominance in the Champions League

The Champions League has become Haaland’s playground. The City forward has now scored 53 goals in 51 appearances, making him the second-highest scorer in competition history before turning 26, behind only Lionel Messi.

He also became the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the tournament’s history — achieving the feat in just 49 games. The previous record belonged to Ruud van Nistelrooy, who needed 62 matches to hit the same number.

On top of that, Haaland reached the milestone younger than anyone else: at 25 years and 59 days old. By comparison, Mbappe achieved it at 25 years and 356 days, while Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t reach the 50-goal mark until age 28.

With the brace, Haaland reached 52 career Champions League goals, surpassing Mbappe to become the second-highest scorer in the competition before turning 26. The record belongs to Messi, who scored 57 goals with Barcelona before his 26th birthday.

The former Borussia Dortmund forward now sits ahead of Mbappe, Raul Gonzalez, and Karim Benzema on the under-26 all-time list, leaving only Messi in front of him. Haaland is just seven goals shy of equaling the Argentine legend.

Given that Haaland doesn’t turn 26 until July 21, 2026, he has the rest of this season’s Champions League—culminating with the 2026 final in Budapest—to surpass Messi’s mark.

Haaland dominates the Champions League

Before moving past Mbappe on the all-time under-26 scoring list, Erling Haaland had already shattered another Champions League record. In Manchester City’s opening win over Napoli, the Norwegian striker reached 50 career goals in just 49 matches—the fastest anyone has ever done it.

Haaland obliterated the previous mark held by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who needed 62 games to reach the milestone. Lionel Messi rounds out the top three, hitting his 50th goal in 66 appearances.

Age-wise, Haaland also reached the benchmark faster than both Cristiano Ronaldo and Mbappe. He did it at 25 years and 59 days old, while Mbappe needed 25 years and 356 days, and Ronaldo didn’t hit the mark until 28 years and 78 days.

The prolific City striker looks poised for another monster campaign—already racking up 11 goals in just eight appearances across the Premier League and Champions League this season.