Erling Haaland scored five goals as Norway pummeled Moldova 11-1 on Tuesday to maintain their perfect record in World Cup qualifying and stay atop the Group I table with 15 points in five games.

The five goals were a career high for Haaland while playing for Norway and the most by a European man in a World Cup qualifier since Austria's Hans Krankl set the UEFA record of six against Malta in 1977.

The Manchester City striker played the game with stitches in his face after colliding with a door while exiting the team bus on Monday.

The result keeps Norway six points clear of second-place Italy , who barely escaped their Monday qualifier against Israel with a 5-4 win.

Gennaro Gatuso's Azzurri do have a game in hand as they chase Norway, with Italy looking to avoid a second place

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