Haaland spurs Norway in win

Ronaldo goalless for Portugal in victory over Ireland

- AP

Erling Haaland further enhanced his superstar reputation with a hat trick for Norway in a 5-0 home win against Israel while Cristiano Ronaldo drew a blank as Portugal beat Ireland 1-0 in World Cup qualifying on Saturday.

Haaland moved onto 51 Norway goals in just 46 matches, as Ronaldo failed to increase his all-time international men’s scoring record of 141. Both players missed a penalty - Haaland even missed his retake - on a night when fluffed spot kicks seemed contagious but didn't affect the outcomes. Spain's Ferran Torres and Italy's Mateo Retegui also had theirs saved.

European champion Spain beat Georgia 2-0 while Italy won 3-1 at Estonia to stop goal-hungry Norway getting too far ahead. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma gifted a sloppy late goal to add to his blunders in recent years.