Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland secures a chance to play in his initial international competition in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.
And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in each of those matches.
That makes him the top scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in every region.
Moreover, his country's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.
Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's considerable expectation and stuff, and I experience it. But it's exciting."
This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.
How Important Has Haaland Been?
The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is absolutely remarkable.
He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for the national team.
And in fact he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the first in 53 years, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.
Norway's previous leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for 90 years.
In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight games - plus two setup passes.
This amounts to double the scoring total any other player has registered in European qualifying.
He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifiers in any continent, including areas where teams play twice as more games.
Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.
Team Effort Alongside Haaland
However, it's not solely about one player.
Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any competitor in European qualifying - seven setups.
The Arsenal midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since making his debut at the tender age of fifteen.
"Pair Haaland's achievements with the fact that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.
Our nation represents of five million citizens and we feature both the top forward and I'd suggest the top creator, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the EPL.
Historical Significance of Qualification
For the first time in decades Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.
Their nation competed in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 European Championship.
Erling's dad, Alf Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 World Cup.
The striker has mentioned before being better than his father was a major professional goal for him.
"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a global media outlet recently.
Escaping Historical Oversight
Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.
Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to participate in the global tournament.
The Liberian legend, who won trophies with various top teams, featured for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.
Famous United forward George Best, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they couldn't secure qualification.
Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star played for three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.
