Haaland keeps Norway perfect as five-star Croatia thrash Czechia

Erling Haaland kept Norway's hopes of qualifying for a first World Cup since 1998 with another goal that helped his team beat Estonia 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Monday. 

Haaland took his tally to 42 goals in 43 matches for his country with a 62nd-minute finish, and albeit not his best strike for Norway, it could be one of his most important. 

Following a lightning counter-attack, the Manchester City forward saw his initial effort blocked by Maksim Paskotsi, with the ball looping over Karl Hein and onto the crossbar. 

But Haaland was the quickest to react to the loose ball, tucking home on the line for his fourth goal in as many games during Norway's qualifying campaign. 

Stale Solbakken's side now have 12 points from their first four games in Group I, six clear of second-placed Israel and nine ahead of Italy, who beat Moldova on Monday. 

Meanwhile, at the Opus Arena, four goals in 13 second-half minutes from Croatia saw them romp to a 5-1 victory over Czechia to also maintain their perfect start to qualifying. 

Andrej Kramaric headed Croatia into a 41st-minute lead before Tomas Soucek restored parity just before the hour with a towering header at the back post.

But Croatia captain Luka Modric put his team back in front four minutes later from the penalty spot after Ante Budimir had been fouled inside the box by Tomas Holes. 

From then, Zlatko Dalic's side turned on the style as Ivan Perisic propelled Croatia further ahead before Holes gave away another spot-kick, this time for a handball. 

Budimir dispatched the penalty before Kramaric concluded the scoring with a cool finish past Matej Kovar after collecting Modric's clever pass into the area. 

Data Debrief: Haaland leading Norway to glory

Norway have now scored in their last four games in the World Cup qualifiers, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of six games back in 2021. 

And part of their scoring success has been down to the imperious form of Haaland, who ended the contest against Estonia with team-high totals for shots (seven), touches in the opposition box (nine) and aerial duels won (six). 

Croatia's second-half flurry was in stark contrast to their display in the first 45 minutes. They finished the first half with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.1, but concluded the match with a tally of 3.6 from their 18 attempts.