International round-up: Haaland strikes as Norway win crucial World Cup qualifier | OneFootball

Erling Haaland scored his 40th international goal for Norway as they beat Italy 3-0 in Oslo.

Norway now top Group I in the World Cup qualifiers as they bid to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1998.

They were ahead in the 14th minute through Alexander Sorloth before Antonio Nusa doubled their advantage.

And Haaland added a third before half-time with a wonderful finish from Martin Odegaard’s pass.

The City striker raced onto a throughball before dummying a shot and taking the ball round Gianluigi Donnarumma and passing into the empty net.

Oscar Bobb came on in the second half as Norway collected all three points against potentially their toughest rivals in the group.

Victory means they have made a perfect start with three wins from their opening three matches and play Estonia away next on Monday 9 June.

In Group J, a late equaliser meant that Belgium were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia.

Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne both started for Belgium with Maxim De Cuyper giving them a first half lead in their first qualifying game.

They are back in Brussels for their next game on Monday against Wales who top the group.

Elsewhere, Josko Gvardiol was an unused substitute as Croatia eased to a 7-0 victory in Gibraltar in their opening World Cup qualifier.

They are also in action again on Monday when they play Czechia at home.