Haaland fires Norway closer to World Cup as Italy stay in hunt | Sports

PARIS, Oct 12, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick to pass 50 international goals in record time as Norway cruised to a 5-0 thrashing of Israel on Saturday, edging closer to qualifying for a first World Cup finals since 1998. Before the match in Oslo, hundreds of people attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration, chanting "Free Palestine" to protest against Israel's "genocide" in Gaza, AFP journalists reported. Norwegian police dispersed a gathering of pro-Palestinian activists with tear gas and made several arrests. Inside the Ullevaal Stadium, several dozen Israeli fans waved their country's flag and a banner reading "Let the Ball Talk!". Norway now lead Group I with 18 points, six more than second-placed Italy, who beat Estonia 3-1 in...