Haaland wrapped up his domestic season with Manchester City just last weekend, while Odegaard is coming off a high-stakes Champions League final clash against PSG with Arsenal. Given the quick turnaround, the coaching staff opted to hand both stars a breather today, though they are expected to be fully locked and loaded for Norway’s next pre-tournament tune-up against Morocco on June 7.

In the meantime, Norway are gearing up to face Sweden in what promises to be an intense Scandinavian derby. The matchup serves as a vital scouting ground for the upcoming tournament in North America; both UEFA sides secured qualification, with Sweden are set to officially kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 14.

The return to the global stage is a massive milestone for both programs following recent tournament droughts. Sweden are making their return after missing out on Qatar 2022, while Norway have successfully punched their ticket to the big dance for the first time since 1998.

Who are replacing Haaland and Odegaard in the starting XI?

Because these high-profile friendlies double as a vital proving ground for squad depth, head coach Stale Solbakken will look to maximize his roster and evaluate key depth pieces in the absence of his two biggest stars.

Taking Haaland’s spot at the top of the formation is lethal striker Alexander Sorloth, while Manchester City prodigy Oscar Bobb will step into the midfield engine room to fill the creative void left by Odegaard. Bobb’s performance will be heavily scrutinized as he looks to cement a prominent role ahead of the trip to North America.

It remains to be seen how smoothly Norway can execute their tactical blueprint without their two primary focal points. They face a stern test against a dangerous Swedish side that has confirmed Anthony Elanga will lead the attack, though Newcastle star Alexander Isak will start the afternoon on the bench.

Cristiano Ronaldo has one Premier League Golden Boot. He won it during the 2007-2008 season with Manchester United. Hence, Haaland already has tripled what Ronaldo did in the Premier League.

Erling Haaland has 112 Premier League goals since joining Manchester City four years ago. Ronaldo played a total of eight Premier League seasons, where he scored 103 goals for Manchester United.

Who has more league top-scoring titles between Haaland and Ronaldo?

Career-wise, Ronaldo has ended as league top-scorer six times. One in the Premier League, three in LaLiga, one in Serie A, and twice in the Saudi Pro League. However, Ronaldo played as a winger for the first half of his career before transitioning into a full-on center forward. While Ronaldo scored to help Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League, it wasn’t enough for him to win the Golden Boot race this year.

As for Haaland, he only got the three Premier League Golden Boots. He failed to end as top-scorer in the Bundesliga and the Austrian Bundesliga despite being a prolific forward.

How far is Haaland from being the record-holder for most PL Golden Boots?

Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah have the record for most Premier League Golden Boots with four. Hence, Haaland is just one away from tying the record, and two away from being the sole record holder.

Given that Haaland is just 25 years old and there are no plans of him leaving, he could perfectly get those historic numbers. Also, there aren’t many huge prolific goalscorers right now, so competition is low for a guy like Haaland.

Guardiola has opted to keep the Norwegian striker on the bench to manage his fitness ahead of the high-stakes FA Cup Final against Chelsea, set to take place this Saturday, May 16, at Wembley Stadium.

It is undoubtedly a bold gamble by Guardiola. With Haaland leading the Premier League scoring charts with 26 goals, his absence leaves a significant void in the attack for a must-win game. The Spanish manager has turned to Egyptian international Omar Marmoush to lead the line as the central attacking reference.

Guardiola makes more changes against Crystal Palace

The decision to rest star players extends beyond just Erling Haaland. Pep Guardiola has also opted to bench Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku, both of whom have been mainstays in Manchester City’s starting XI this season.

Compared to their previous outing—a dominant 3-0 victory over Brentford—Guardiola has made a total of six changes. In addition to the attacking rotations, Nathan Ake, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nico O’Reilly have also been moved to the bench.

To fill the gaps, the Spanish manager has turned to a mix of defensive solidity and creative flair, handing starts to Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Phil Foden and Savinho.

City fighting to stay in the hunt

This matchup is a pivotal moment for Manchester City and the ultimate destination of the Premier League trophy. Eyes in North London will be glued to this game, as today’s result could set the stage for Arsenal to be crowned the new champions.

The math is simple but high-stakes: if Manchester City fail to secure a victory against Crystal Palace, Arsenal could clinch their 14th Premier League title with a win in their next match on Monday, May 18, when they host Burnley at the Emirates Stadium.

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.