Haaland 65 international goals mark a brilliant milestone as Norway striker surpasses Ibrahimović and matches Drogba after scoring against Portugal

Erling Braut Haaland, Manchester City striker, reached 65 international goals for Norway at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo on Sunday, September 27, 2026, scoring in Norway’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat by Portugal and moving beyond Zlatan Ibrahimović while drawing level with Didier Drogba.

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The landmark came only three days after Haaland had scored twice in Norway’s 3-2 Nations League victory over Denmark.

That brace took Haaland to 64 goals in 56 international appearances and carried him beyond Ibrahimović’s 62 goals for Sweden and Brazil great Ronaldo’s 62 for Brazil.

Haaland’s goal against Portugal, scored in the 51st minute, completed a remarkably productive opening to the international window.

João Félix had given Portugal an early lead before Haaland restored parity, with Gonçalo Ramos later scoring the winner for Jorge Jesus’s side.

The result nevertheless left Norway empty handed on the night. Portugal’s victory followed Norway’s opening 3-2 win over Denmark, leaving Ståle Solbakken’s side with one win and one defeat from the first two matches of the 2026/27 Nations League campaign.

UEFA lists Wales away on October 1 and Portugal away on October 4 as Norway’s next two Group A4 fixtures.

Haaland’s scoring rate has made the latest milestone particularly striking. The 26 year old has reached 65 goals in just 57 appearances for Norway, giving him more than a goal every two matches at international level. He made his senior Norway debut in 2019.

The Denmark match had already established Haaland as the highest scoring Nordic male international player, although Sweden women’s former forward Lotta Schelin retains the overall Nordic record with 88 goals.

Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has attributed much of Haaland’s extraordinary output to an instinctive quality rather than something that can simply be taught.

“It is not possible to explain, nor is it possible to learn. He is born with it. It is instinct,” Solbakken said after the Denmark victory.

Norway midfielder Sander Berge offered a similarly emphatic assessment, describing Haaland’s latest achievement as “madness” and “powerful”.

The 2026 World Cup has also added important context to Haaland’s international rise. UEFA records Norway as having reached the quarter finals at the tournament, their first World Cup appearance since 1998, with Haaland finishing the competition as Norway’s leading scorer with seven goals.

His Nations League form has continued that momentum. UEFA lists Haaland as the competition’s all time leading scorer, with 22 goals following the opening two matches of the 2026/27 campaign. Haaland also sits among the leading scorers in the current edition with three goals.

The latest achievement also places Haaland alongside some of the most recognisable names in international football. Didier Drogba finished his Ivory Coast career with 65 goals, while Ibrahimović scored 62 for Sweden.

Haaland has reached the same total as Drogba in fewer appearances, although comparisons across different generations and national teams naturally come with differences in schedules, competitions and playing careers.

At the top of the broader international scoring list, Cristiano Ronaldo remains first with 146 goals for Portugal, followed by Lionel Messi with 125 for Argentina and Ali Daei with 108 for Iran, according to UEFA’s latest figures.

Haaland’s 65 goals place him well below that established top tier but underline how quickly he has climbed the historical rankings.

Haaland now has two more Nations League fixtures during the current international window, beginning with Norway’s meeting with Wales on Thursday.

Norway will then travel to Portugal for another encounter with the European champions before Haaland returns to Manchester City for the Premier League schedule.

The next stages of the campaign will offer Haaland further opportunities to extend a record that is already moving at an extraordinary pace.

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For now, the 65 goal landmark stands as another significant chapter in a Norway career that continues to gather momentum.