Haaland hits hat trick to reach 50 goals for Norway after twice missing penalty against Israel

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Erling Haaland scored a hat trick against Israel to pass 50 goals for Norway after twice missing a penalty in a 5-0 World Cup qualifying victory on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Haaland extended his leading tally in European qualifying to a remarkable 12 goals in six games, and his overall Norway total to 51 in 46 matches.

Haaland reached the 50-goal mark far quicker than the other elite strikers of modern times, according to statisticians Opta.

France star Kylian Mbappé and Poland's Robert Lewandowski took 90 games, while record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi took 107 for Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo needed 114 games with Portugal.

Haaland scored with an angled shot in the 27th minute, a powerful downward header in the 63rd and a back-post header in the 72nd.

A few minutes into the game, however, he was off target.

Haaland’s first penalty was hit low and saved by Daniel Peretz. But Polish referee Szymon Marciniak ordered the kick to be retaken because the goalkeeper had moved off his line too soon.

He tried the other way second time, aiming for the corner, but Peretz guessed correctly again and palmed his effort away as Haaland looked on disbelievingly.

Aside from the hat trick, Haaland was also involved in Norway’s third goal when his looming presence forced a blunder between Peretz and defender Dan Nachmias, leading to Israel’s second own goal of the game.

Haaland also has 12 goals in nine matches for City this season, taking his club tally to 136 in 155 games for the club.

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Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his the third goal during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Norway and Israel in Oslo, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Norway's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring his side's second goal, during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Norway and Israel in Oslo, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Jonas Been Henriksen/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Norway's Erling Braut Haaland reacts after missing a penalty kick, during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Norway and Israel in Oslo, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Norway's Erling Braut Haaland holds the ball prior to a penalty kick, during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Norway and Israel in Oslo, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Jonas Been Henriksen/NTB Scanpix via AP)

SEATTLE (AP) — All Vinnie Pasquantino needed was a few days of rest, a morning walk around Seattle and a warm, sunny day at T-Mobile Park to get back on track for the Kansas City Royals.

Pasquantino had two hits — including a solo homer — two RBIs and two runs in his return to Kansas City’s lineup against the Seattle Mariners after sitting out the previous two games because of lower back tightness. He batted third and played first base in the Royals' 7-6 win.

“I told them yesterday, I want in,” Pasquantino said. “And I’ll let them know if anything changes.”

His single to right field drove in Kansas City’s opening run in the first inning. He then belted his fourth home run of the season in the sixth off Bryan Woo on a 2-0 count, a Statcast-projected 404-foot blast into the second deck in right. It gave the Royals a 5-3 lead before Jac Caglianone followed with a solo home run to right.

Pasquantino said it has been an issue he has dealt with for a while after he was removed in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s game. He also appeared in the ninth inning and hit a game-ending flyout in Thursday’s 6-3 loss to the Athletics.

“We hope that he’s not going to have to deal with it the whole season,” manager Matt Quatraro said before Friday’s game. “But he’ll probably feel it for a handful of days before it resolves.”

But it felt good in Friday’s win.

“We’ll see how it feels in about an hour when all the adrenaline comes down,” Pasquantino said.

Pasquantino, 28, is off to a slow start this season for Kansas City, batting .176 with three doubles, 16 RBIs and 25 strikeouts in 30 games.

Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino hits an RBI single to score Maikel Garcia against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)