Man City face fitness headache as Haaland limps off for Norway
Erling Haaland limped off for Norway in the Nations League clash with Portugal on Sunday night after signalling a substitution in the 67th minute, being replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen with the score level at 1‑1 in Porto. The forward’s injury adds a fresh worry for Manchester City ahead of their Liverpool tie.
The incident was covered as sport news by Felix Keith, senior sports reporter, with two images and a view of the action.
Norway's Nations League run
Norway’s campaign has relied heavily on Haaland. He featured for the full ninety minutes in each of the previous three fixtures, scoring twice in a 3‑2 win over Denmark and again in the 2‑1 loss to Portugal in their first meeting. He also failed to score in a 2‑1 defeat by Wales.
Portugal's decisive strike
Portugal seized the initiative after Haaland’s departure. Goncalo Ramos struck in the 79th minute to put the hosts ahead, and despite a late red card for Francisco Conceicao the side held on for a 2‑1 victory.
Manchester City’s looming challenges
The incident has rattled Manchester City. Manager Enzo Maresca now faces a fitness dilemma ahead of the league clash at Anfield on 11 October, while the club sit top of the Premier League with five wins from five games.
Haaland’s tally of seven goals in seven appearances has underpinned City’s perfect start, but the squad already contends with other absences. Phil Foden was sent off for kicking Bruno Fernandes and will miss the Liverpool match, and Nico O’Reilly left the England camp injured, while Antoine Semenyo did not feature for Ghana during the break.
Off the pitch, City are battling an independent commission’s verdict that found them guilty of 114 of 115 charges relating to a disguised funding scheme that concealed more than £830 million between 2009 and 2018. The club has lodged an appeal, insisting the opinion contains material errors of law, principle and fact.
The appeal process will run alongside the upcoming fixtures, leaving the club and its supporters uncertain about Haaland’s condition and the broader implications for the season.