Real Madrid fans may be forgiven for getting a little excited after seeing Norway’s Erling Haaland score a hat-trick on Sunday. It was his first international appearance, as the Borussia Dortmund sensation continues to dominate the football world.

Two of his three goals were assisted by Real Madrid’s own promising Norwegian, Martin Odegaard, and the forward made a point of thanking his international teammate after the game, fueling speculation among fans that the pair could replicate their partnership at club level in the future.

Haaland shared a photo on social media after the game of himself clutching the match ball beside Odegaard in the dressing room. Odegaard was one of the standouts of the 2019/20 LaLiga Santander season while on loan at Real Sociedad, but his time in San Sebastian was cut short when he returned to the capital.

Meanwhile, Haaland remains a top priority for Real Madrid during the transfer season. He has started the 2020/21 season in much the same way he concluded the previous one, scoring four goals and assisting one in his first three Bundesliga games with Dortmund. In reality, since joining Dortmund in January 2020, Haaland has played 18 games in all competitions, scoring 16 goals and providing three assists.

Norway defeated Romania 4-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, and their next match in the league is against Northern Ireland on Wednesday. The Dortmund striker scored twice in his last meeting with Northern Ireland in Belfast in September. On Thursday evening, Haaland and his team lost their European Championship playoff semi-final against Serbia in extra time.’