Manchester City supporters held their breath on Sunday when Erling Haaland signalled to his bench and asked to leave the pitch in the 67th minute of Norway’s clash with Portugal. The visitors won 2 to 1, and the striker’s apparent discomfort now hangs over City’s weekend trip to Liverpool, their first fixture since being found guilty on every charge linked to Premier League financial rule breaches. The club has appealed. Haaland has netted seven times this campaign, so any absence would sting.
The match itself was lively. Portugal moved ahead on 36 minutes, though Norway had the first say, as Kristoffer Ajer chested down a Martin Odegaard delivery and drilled a clean volley into the top corner. Joao Cancelo answered just two minutes later, rifling a bouncing drive from distance after a long throw from Nuno Mendes.
Haaland nearly edged his side in front, but his effort drifted wide. Jorgen Strand Larsen replaced him shortly afterwards. With 11 minutes remaining, Goncalo Ramos poked home from close range following a neat layoff from Joao Felix, delivering Portugal a fourth consecutive group victory. Francisco Conceicao was dismissed on 87 minutes after collecting two yellow cards for complaining, leaving the winners a player short at the end.
Cristiano Ronaldo was missing for a third straight match after departing the squad last week following his omission. Coach Jorge Jesus intends to speak with the veteran and insisted the door remains open should he wish to come back.
The defending champions have secured a quarterfinal berth and sit six points above Denmark, who edged Wales by a single goal. Norway, beaten for a third time running, occupy last place with two fixtures left.
