Erling Haaland continues devastating form with hat-trick as Norway beat Israel

Erling Haaland continued his devastating goal-scoring form with a hat-trick in Norway’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Israel in Oslo.

Haaland’s night did not get off to the best of starts as he saw his sixth-minute penalty saved by Daniel Peretz, who denied him again after the kick had to be retaken, but he more than made amends to make it 18 goals in his last nine games for club and country.

The Manchester City striker, who scored five times against Moldova on his last international appearance, scored Norway’s second between a pair of own goals from Anan Khalaili and Idan Nachmias.

Haaland, winning his 46th cap, scored his 50th goal for his country when he nodded in Antonio Nusa’s cross and the pair combined again as the in-form forward grabbed his third of the night.

Victory for Norway gave them a sixth win from sixth in Group I as they edged closer to qualification for the World Cup.

Ruben Neves proved to be the hero in stoppage-time as Portugal snatched a 1-0 victory to break the hearts of the Republic of Ireland in Group F.

Ireland defended resolutely throughout the contest and were on course for a second point when Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty was saved by the legs of Caoimhin Kelleher.

However, Portugal left it late to make it a third-successive win when when Neves headed Francisco Trincao’s cross past Kelleher to win it.

Elsewhere in Group I, Italy earned a fourth-straight win of the World Cup qualifiers with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Estonia in Tallinn.

Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Francesco Pio Esposito gave Italy a three-goal lead but Estonia were allowed onto the scoresheet when Gianluigi Donnarumma dropped a routine cross onto the toes of Rauno Sappinen, who poked home.

European champions Spain maintained their perfect start to World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over Georgia in Elche.

Luis de la Fuente’s side shrugged off the absence of several key players with a confident display at the Estadio Martinez Valero, where Yeremy Pino fired them in front after 24 minutes.

Although Ferran Torres had his penalty saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili before the break, Mikel Oyarzabal crashed in a superb free-kick to secure a third-straight Group E win.

Real Madrid’s Arda Guler was among the scorers as Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria and kept the pressure on Spain.

Hungary boosted their hopes of qualifying by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia, while in Group K, Andorra picked up their first point with a 2-2 draw against Latvia and Albania ran out 1-0 winners over Serbia.