Manchester City Striker Erling Haaland Limps Off During Norway Match Against Portugal

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland sparked immediate concern for club and country after asking to be substituted during the 65th minute of Norway’s UEFA Nations League match against Portugal, appearing to suffer a muscular injury. Noticias Venevision reported that the forward pulled up after attempting a shot, gestured toward the bench for a change, and walked off the pitch under his own power while visibly limping.

Norway Falls to Portugal as Haaland Sits in Group Standings

The fixture ended in a 2-1 victory for Portugal, a result that secured head coach Jorge Jesus’s squad a place in the tournament’s quarterfinals. Following his attempted finish in the second half, Haaland made it clear to the technical staff that he could no longer continue. While preparations were underway for his exit, he remained on the pitch briefly before being replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen in the 67th minute.

Manchester City Faces Urgent Fitness Race Ahead of Liverpool Fixture

The timing of the setback creates an acute problem for Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca as the Premier League season resumes. However, the squad faces a grueling upcoming schedule that includes a high-stakes clash against sixth-placed Liverpool—who have gathered 9 points—followed by fixtures in European competition against Paris Saint-Germain. Losing their talismanic goalscorer at this stage of the campaign threatens to disrupt the attack just as the schedule intensifies.

Pending Medical Evaluation Leaves Availability Uncertain

Neither Manchester City nor the Norwegian national team’s medical staff has released a definitive diagnosis regarding the extent of the forward’s physical issue. Noticias Venevision confirmed that the player headed directly to the bench to await further assessment of his leg discomfort. With domestic and continental fixtures looming, the club’s coaching staff awaits formal diagnostic results to determine whether their primary offensive weapon will be available for selection in the coming days.