Erling Haaland has continued his rapid climb up the list of international football’s leading scorers after surpassing Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimović and later moving level with Ivory Coast great Didier Drogba.
The Manchester City striker reached the milestone during Norway’s UEFA Nations League campaign, scoring twice in a 3-2 victory over Denmark in Oslo on September 24.
The brace took Haaland’s international tally to 64 goals in 56 appearances, moving him beyond Ibrahimović’s 62 goals for Sweden. He also surpassed Brazil legend Ronaldo, who finished his international career with 62 goals.
Haaland’s achievement was particularly notable because of the number of matches required to reach the figure. Ibrahimović scored his 62 goals in 122 appearances for Sweden, while Haaland reached 64 in fewer than half that number of matches.
Against Denmark, Haaland initially put Norway 2-0 ahead after Oscar Bobb had opened the scoring. Denmark responded through Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Højlund before Haaland struck again in the 74th minute to secure Norway’s 3-2 victory.
The result also gave Norway a significant competitive victory over Denmark, while Haaland continued to strengthen his record in the Nations League.
His scoring run continued three days later when Norway faced Portugal. Haaland scored Norway’s equaliser in the second half, taking his international tally to 65 goals from 57 appearances. The goal was also his 22nd in the Nations League, making him the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
The latest milestone moved Haaland level with Drogba, who scored 65 goals for Ivory Coast during his international career.
Haaland’s numbers have attracted considerable attention because of the extraordinary rate at which he has scored for Norway. His current tally represents more than one goal per international appearance, a rate that places him among the most prolific international goalscorers of his generation.
His rise has also come relatively early in his international career. Haaland made his senior Norway debut in 2019 and has continued to produce goals in European Championship and World Cup qualifying matches as well as the Nations League.
His performance against Denmark was described by Norway manager Ståle Solbakken as an instinctive quality that could not simply be taught, while midfielder Sander Berge described the striker’s scoring record as remarkable.
Haaland’s international progress is now being measured against some of football’s most celebrated goalscorers. Ronaldo and Ibrahimović both ended their international careers with 62 goals, while Drogba finished with 65.
At 26, Haaland still has years ahead of him at international level, although how far he ultimately climbs will depend on future performances, fitness and the number of matches he continues to play for Norway.
For now, his latest goals have already placed him alongside Drogba and above Ibrahimović and Ronaldo on the men’s international scoring list.
The Norwegian striker’s next challenge is to continue closing the gap on the players occupying the higher positions on the all-time list, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, while maintaining the extraordinary scoring rate that has characterised his international career so far.
