Norway is currently enjoying one of its best football eras in decades, reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup after a memorable run that included eliminating Brazil. Led by one of the tournament’s standout stars, Erling Haaland, who has already netted seven goals, Norway is chasing history on the world’s biggest stage.
But before this remarkable World Cup campaign, the Scandinavian side had already produced one of its most talked-about football moments during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, when it faced Israel twice in Group I and completed a dominant double that went far beyond the field.
Norway completed a dominant double over Israel
Norway first met Israel in March 2025, earning an impressive 4-2 away victory to kick off their Group I meetings in style. Months later, on 11 October 2025, they delivered an even more emphatic statement, thrashing Israel 5-0 at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.
The scoreline was headlined by a sensational Erling Haaland hat-trick, with the striker finding the net in the 27th, 63rd and 72nd minutes. Israel also scored two own goals through Anan Khalaili and Idan Nachmias, sealing one of Norway’s biggest World Cup qualifying victories in recent years.
Despite missing two early penalty attempts after one was ordered to be retaken, Haaland still ended the night celebrating his 50th international goal before adding another to make it 51 goals in just 46 appearances for Norway.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/11/image-f9d9e2cb-8041-4251-8128-cdc2c880fefc-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
A match played during the height of the war
The match wasn’t only significant because of the football. In the lead-up to kick-off, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through Oslo carrying Palestinian flags and banners, calling attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Security around the stadium was increased ahead of the fixture, while inside the ground supporters displayed large Palestinian flags and banners reading “Let Children Live.” Loud boos also rang out during the Israeli national anthem, reflecting the tense atmosphere surrounding the game.
The protests remained largely peaceful and became one of the defining images of the evening, illustrating how football and global events had become deeply intertwined during the qualifiers.
Every ticket sold helped fund humanitarian relief
Perhaps the most remarkable part of the occasion happened away from the pitch.
Ahead of the sold-out fixture, the Norwegian Football Association announced that all net ticket revenue from the match would be donated to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), the Nobel Peace Prize-winning humanitarian medical organization. The funds were specifically earmarked to support the organization’s emergency relief work in Gaza and other areas affected by the war.
In announcing the initiative, the federation stated:
The money is earmarked for the organization’s relief work on the ground in Gaza and the surrounding areas affected by the war
The decision drew international attention and turned an already high-profile World Cup qualifier into a match remembered for both its sporting result and its humanitarian contribution.
More than just a football game
Norway’s 5-0 victory will always stand out as one of the country’s most memorable World Cup qualifying performances. Between Haaland’s hat-trick, the dominant display on the pitch and the team’s march toward World Cup qualification, there was plenty for Norwegian fans to celebrate.
But what made the night truly unforgettable was that it wasn’t only about football. By donating the match’s ticket revenue to humanitarian relief in Gaza, Norway ensured the occasion left an impact beyond the final whistle, making it a game remembered for both sporting excellence and solidarity.
We Said This: Don’t Miss.. 6 Iconic Goal Celebrations by the Egypt National Team Stars
