Haaland closes in on Mbappe as Kane leads Europe’s 2026 international scoring chart

Erling Haaland scored as Norway beat Wales 3-1 in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday, taking his international total to 66 goals in 60 appearances and strengthening his position among Europe’s leading scorers in 2026.

The Manchester City striker converted a penalty in the 88th minute to complete Norway’s victory. Antonio Nusa had opened the scoring in the 59th minute before Andreas Schjelderup doubled the advantage nine minutes later.

David Brooks pulled one back for Wales in the 79th minute, but Haaland settled the match from the spot two minutes before the end of normal time.

The goal was Haaland’s 11th for Norway in 2026, leaving him third in the European scoring standings for senior national teams this year.

He trails France forward Kylian Mbappe and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, who are level on 12 goals in second place. England captain Harry Kane, the Ballon d’Or winner, leads the list with 14 goals.

Gyokeres, who plays for Arsenal, scored twice against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday to move level with Mbappe.

Haaland’s international record is particularly notable because he has scored 66 times in his first 60 matches for Norway, giving him a rate of more than one goal per game.

According to French network stats foot, he is the first European player since Germany great Gerd Muller to reach 66 goals within his first 60 senior international appearances. Muller scored his 66th international goal in his 59th match during the period before the 1974 World Cup, then played his 60th game without scoring.

Haaland also maintains a scoring rate of more than a goal per game in the UEFA Champions League. UEFA statistics show he has scored 61 goals in 60 matches in the competition.

That makes him one of the players to have sustained the exceptional rate in both Champions League football and international matches, among those with at least 20 goals in each.

Norway’s win came in the fifth round of the Nations League group stage and lifted them to six points in third place. They will face second-placed Denmark, who have nine points, in a decisive final group match.

Portugal lead the group with 12 points.