Haaland Becomes Norway's All-time Leading Scorer

Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Norway and Slovenia at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, 10 October 2024.  EPA/Terje Pedersen
Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Norway and Slovenia at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, 10 October 2024. EPA/Terje Pedersen
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Haaland Becomes Norway's All-time Leading Scorer

Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Norway and Slovenia at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, 10 October 2024.  EPA/Terje Pedersen
Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Norway and Slovenia at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, 10 October 2024. EPA/Terje Pedersen

Erling Haaland marked his first game as Norway captain by becoming his country's all-time leading scorer — then appeared to indicate he will soon become a father.
The Manchester City striker scored in the seventh and 62nd minutes of Norway's 3-0 win over Slovenia in the Nations League on Thursday to move onto 34 international goals.
That's one more than the late Jorgen Juve on Norway's list of record scorers. Juve, on 33 goals, held the record since the 1930s.
“I’m proud,” Haaland was quoted as telling Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet. “It is a record that has stood for a long time.”
The 24-year-old Haaland, who has played only 36 games for Norway, posted a picture on X of himself sucking his left thumb and with a ball under his jersey. Above the picture were baby and “coming soon” emojis.



Zelenskiy Lauds Champion Usyk’s Perseverance in Victory over Fury in Riyadh

 Boxers Britain's Tyson Fury, right, and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk compete during their WBA, WBO, and WBC world heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP)
Boxers Britain's Tyson Fury, right, and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk compete during their WBA, WBO, and WBC world heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP)
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Zelenskiy Lauds Champion Usyk’s Perseverance in Victory over Fury in Riyadh

 Boxers Britain's Tyson Fury, right, and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk compete during their WBA, WBO, and WBC world heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP)
Boxers Britain's Tyson Fury, right, and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk compete during their WBA, WBO, and WBC world heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed Oleksandr Usyk's victory over Tyson Fury to retain the WBA (Super), WBO and WBC world heavyweight titles in Riyadh, saying the boxer embodied the fighting spirit of Ukrainians.

Undefeated Usyk, who took Fury's WBC belt in their first bout in May, beat the British two-time world champion in the rematch by unanimous decision, handing him the second loss of his professional career.

"Victory! So important and so needed by all of us right now," Zelenskiy, who had led Ukraine in its war with Russia since Moscow invaded its neighbor in 2022, wrote on X.

"By defending his championship belt, Oleksandr Usyk proves: we are Ukrainians and we will not give up what is ours! No matter how hard it gets - we will overcome everything.

"Whether it is in the ring, on the battlefield or in the diplomatic arena - we will fight and we will not give up what is ours! Congratulations on your victory, Cossack! Congratulations on your victory, Ukraine!"

Former world champion Wladimir Klitschko, who enlisted in the Ukrainian military reserves before Russia's invasion, was at the Kingdom Arena to witness Usyk's victory.

"Ukraine is fortunate to have you. You're a true standard-bearer of our resilience... glory to Ukraine," Klitschko wrote on X.