Manchester City are facing a major fitness concern over Erling Haaland after the striker was forced off during Norway's final Nations League game of the international break. The 26-year-old, playing against Portugal, was substituted in the 67th minute and replaced by Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Haaland appeared to signal to the bench that he was hurt and gestured that he wanted to be withdrawn. The exact nature and extent of the injury remain unclear, but it represents a significant worry for manager Enzo Maresca following a difficult period for the club, which recently received a guilty verdict from an independent commission over 114 financial breaches.
Match details and turning point
Haaland was taken off with the score at 1-1 in Porto. Norway had taken the lead through Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer's stunning volley on 36 minutes, but Joao Cancelo equalised just two minutes later, and the sides went in level at the interval.
With 23 minutes of regulation time remaining, Haaland was withdrawn, and Goncalo Ramos scored on 79 minutes to turn the game in the hosts' favour.
Ronaldo absence overshadows clash
Haaland's potential injury overshadowed another major talking point from the match, as Cristiano Ronaldo was not involved after sensationally quitting the Portugal camp. The 41-year-old departed following his exclusion from the first encounter between the two sides a fortnight ago in Oslo.
An alleged rift between the former Manchester United forward and manager Jorge Jesus prompted Ronaldo to head to Madrid, leaving his international future in jeopardy.
