Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland gave his club and country a major injury scare during Norway's tense Euro 2024 qualifying clash against Israel on Sunday evening.
The prolific striker, who has been in devastating form for both club and country, was forced to leave the pitch after 63 minutes of Norway's dramatic 2-1 victory. Haaland appeared to be struggling with an ankle problem after a heavy challenge, eventually being substituted to the concern of watching Manchester City staff.
Norway's Qualification Hopes Hang in Balance
Despite Haaland's premature exit, Norway managed to secure three crucial points through goals from Alexander Sorloth and Fredrik Aursnes. The victory keeps their slim qualification hopes alive, though they remain dependent on other results going their way.
Norwegian manager Ståle Solbakken addressed concerns post-match, stating: "We decided it wasn't worth the risk to keep him on. He took a knock to his ankle and while it doesn't appear serious, we must be cautious with a player of his importance."
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City Dilemma
The timing couldn't be worse for Premier League champions Manchester City, who face a crucial period of domestic and European fixtures. With key matches approaching, Pep Guardiola will be anxiously awaiting medical updates on his star forward.
City's medical team are expected to conduct their own assessment when Haaland returns to Manchester this week. The Norwegian has been instrumental in City's success, breaking numerous scoring records since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund.
What's Next for Haaland and Norway?
Norway's final Group A match against Scotland now takes on added significance, though their qualification fate largely rests on Spain's result against Georgia. Should Haaland be unavailable, it would represent a massive blow to their chances of securing automatic qualification for next summer's tournament in Germany.
Football fans and pundits alike will be monitoring developments closely, with the potential absence of one of world football's most exciting talents representing a significant setback for both club and country during this critical period of the season.
