- Norway’s World Cup qualifying campaign got underway with a win at Moldova
- Match was momentarily halted after a fan ran across the pitch to reach Haaland
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A forgotten former Premier League star stopped a pitch invader from reaching Erling Haaland during Norway’s clash with Moldova.
Norway opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 5-0 away win against the middows, with the Manchester City striker scoring.
Borussia Dortymund’s Julian Ryerson, Luton’s Thelo Aasgaard and Toulouse’s Aaron Donnum also got on the scoresheet alongside Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth.
Haaland was brought off in the 78th minute as Norway prepare to face Israel in their second qualifier on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old’s presence drew a huge crowd in Moldova and one fan ran on the pitch in a bid to get near him.
However, former Fulham captain Brede Hangeland stepped in and stopped the pitch invader just as he got within touching distance of Haaland.
A forgotten former Premier League star stopped a pitch invader from reaching Erling Haaland
The pitch invader got within touching distance of the striker, who was sat on the bench
Brede Hangeland is best known for his time at Fulham, where he played 217 top flight matches
The individual was then reeled in by the recovering security guards, who swept him away and the match resumed.
Hangeland is now Norway’s assistant coach having captained the nation in 48 of his 91 appearances between 2002 and 2014.
The 43-year-old spent eight years in the Premier League before retiring in 2016 following a stint at Crystal Palace.
But he is best known for his time at Fulham, where he played 217 top flight matches from 2008 to 2014.
The centre back was part of the Fulham side that remerkably reached the Europa League final in 2010.
