Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva shared only a brief embrace after Portugal's Nations League win over Norway on Sunday. The former Manchester City teammates met on the pitch at full-time, with Silva having joined Real Madrid in the summer.
Haaland started the clash and cancelled out Joao Felix's first-half opener just after the interval, but Goncalo Ramos grabbed the winner moments later to seal a 2-1 victory for Portugal. Silva came off the bench to help his nation see out the result.
Haaland's pre-match media duty change
The build-up to the game was heavily dominated by reports that City had been found in breach of 114 financial charges. Haaland was scheduled to take questions from reporters ahead of the match, but Norway made the decision to replace him with Benfica duo Fredrik Aursnes and Andreas Schjelderup.
Norway boss Stale Solbakken spoke on the decision during his pre-match press conference and admitted he wanted to see Haaland focused on the task at hand. Despite the potential distractions, his wish was granted as Haaland featured, played the full 90 minutes and scored.
An awkward exchange at full-time
At the full-time whistle, cameras caught Haaland exchanging hugs with both current and ex-teammates. Silva was one of the latter, but it was not a warm embrace between the two despite the years spent together at Etihad Stadium. While Silva went in for a hug after their handshake, Haaland only quickly slapped his back and did not make any eye contact with the 32-year-old.
Haaland could have been disappointed by the defeat, but many have theorised an incident during the clash, involving Silva, angered him. In the final knockings, Silva chased down Norway and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who was in possession, and kicked out at the midfielder's ankle after the ball had already gone. The two exchanged words on the pitch with Odegaard far from pleased by the challenge.
Odegaard's reaction and City's verdict
When asked about it after the game, Odegaard said: "It doesn't belong on a football field. It's a shame that people do that. It's a head fog from him. Just kicks me down long after I've played the ball away. I don't understand what he's doing."
Silva's response to journalists asking him about the heated incident as he walked through the mixed zone was, "it's football, my friend." Odegaard looks to have avoided an ankle injury but was seen limping for the remainder of the game.
The 27-year-old will fancy his chances of claiming a second Premier League title following City's guilty verdict. It is understood there will be an appeal, but if that fails, City could be slapped with a points deduction significant enough to take them out of the title race and potentially relegate them.
