Our in-form No.9 has begun the new campaign in blistering form at club level, but he couldn’t help his country find a way past a stubborn Kazakhstan defence as the teams played out a 0-0 draw at the Ortalyq Stadion in Almaty.
Norway, ranked 59 places higher than their Nations League Group 3 opponents, dominated the majority of the game.
Haaland had several attempts before coming agonisingly close on 54 minutes with a shot that struck the post from close range.
The Norwegians shot count of 19-4 tells its own story, but Haaland couldn’t add to his 31 goals for the national team in his 34th appearance.
Slovenia and Austria, also in Group 3, play later on Friday evening.
Norway will be back in Nations League action on Monday evening when they host Austria.