Manchester City's goal machine Erling Haaland suffered an unexpected setback during Norway's international friendly against Slovakia, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning his penalty-taking credentials.
The prolific striker, who netted an incredible 36 Premier League goals last season, saw his second-half spot-kick spectacularly saved by Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka. The miss proved costly as Norway slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat in Oslo.
A Rare Moment of Vulnerability
Haaland's penalty failure marks a surprising chink in the armour of one of world football's most feared finishers. The 23-year-old had the perfect opportunity to equalise after coming on as a substitute, but his powerfully struck effort was palmed away by Newcastle United's Dúbravka.
This isn't the first time Haaland has experienced penalty drama for his national team. The miss comes just months after his successful conversion against Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying, though even that effort required a fortunate rebound after initially being saved.
International Struggles Continue
Despite his domestic dominance with Manchester City, Haaland's international form has been comparatively modest. The defeat to Slovakia extends Norway's worrying run, leaving them with just one victory in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Manager Ståle Solbakken will be particularly concerned about his team's inability to convert chances, with Haaland's miss representing a key moment that could have changed the complexion of the match.
Premier League Implications
As Manchester City prepare to defend their Premier League title, Pep Guardiola will be monitoring his star striker's confidence levels closely. While Haaland's goal-scoring record remains phenomenal, this penalty miss raises questions about his reliability from twelve yards when it matters most.
With crucial matches ahead for both club and country, all eyes will be on how Haaland responds to this rare moment of fallibility. Can he rediscover his scoring touch, or has this incident exposed a potential weakness in his otherwise impeccable finishing?
