Erling Haaland endured a difficult return to action on Sunday, playing his first minutes since Manchester City's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on May 19. The Norwegian striker started the World Cup warm-up match against Morocco in New Jersey but lasted only 72 minutes before being replaced by Crystal Palace's Jorgen Strand Larsen.
A Performance to Forget
Haaland managed just four touches of the ball during the game, and his only shot was blocked. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but the striker's performance drew sharp criticism. Norwegian media outlets were particularly harsh: Dagsbladet awarded him a rating of two out of 10, stating he was invisible in the first half and only improved slightly after the break. TV2 gave him a three out of 10, the lowest rating of any Norway player.
On-Field Incident
During the match, Haaland appeared to have an argument with one of the Norwegian team's physios, adding to his frustrations. Coach Stale Solbakken defended his star player after the game, saying: 'He's a player who feels it today. He needed those minutes. Without being rude to him, he saves himself five, 10, 15 per cent. Those explosions are coming.'
World Cup Pressure
Haaland and his Norway teammates face significant pressure this summer as they prepare for their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Norway's next match is their World Cup opener against Iraq in Boston on June 16. Haaland will be expected to deliver after a disappointing warm-up performance.
