Erling Haaland beats Nazario and Ibrahimovic ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo clash

Erling Haaland has once again rewritten Norway’s scoring history, moving to 64 goals in 56 appearances and overtaking Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario and Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Manchester City striker reaches the milestone just before Norway meet Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.

Denmark win underlines Norway’s surge

Norway secured a 3‑2 victory over Denmark, with Haaland scoring both goals. The result gave the country its first competitive win against Denmark.

Oscar Bobb opened the scoring in the 14th minute, and Haaland doubled the lead four minutes later after a pass from Antonio Nusa slipped through the goalkeeper’s legs. Denmark fought back through Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund, but Haaland restored the advantage in the 74th minute from a short‑corner routine.

Scoring rate eclipses legends

Haaland’s 64 goals in 56 matches translate to a 1.14 goals‑per‑game average, surpassing Nazario’s 0.63 and Ibrahimovic’s 0.51. The Brazilian needed 98 appearances to reach 62 goals, while the Swede required 122.

A simple table published by the national federation confirms the figures: Haaland – Norway, 64, 1.14; Ronaldo Nazario – Brazil, 62, 0.63; Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Sweden, 62, 0.51.

Swedish forward Lotta Schelin remains the overall Nordic record holder with 88 goals, a tally achieved in the women’s game.

Next challenge: Portugal

Norway’s next Nations League fixture pits Haaland against Cristiano Ronaldo, whose 146 international goals make him the all‑time leading scorer in men’s football. The clash pits two generations of elite marksmen on the same pitch.

Norway will also meet Wales on 1 October, while Denmark hosts Norway in the final group‑stage match on 17 November.

For Haaland, the immediate focus is Portugal, offering another chance to extend a record that is already moving at extraordinary speed.