Erling Haaland’s removal from the pitch during Norway’s World Cup quarter-final loss to England on Saturday night left viewers bewildered and prompted widespread speculation about the Manchester City striker’s condition.
The 25-year-old was withdrawn at the interval of extra time, with Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen coming on as his replacement despite Norway trailing 2-1 and desperately requiring a goal.
Haaland had appeared to move uncomfortably during the additional period, though no obvious injury was visible.
“It has to be an injury,” Alan Shearer told BBC Sport. “There is no way you take Haaland off if you are in desperate need of a goal.”
Erling Haaland came off during extra time when Norway needed a goal against England
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Former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino has since shed light on the mystery, revealing that illness rather than injury may have been behind Haaland’s subdued display.
Speaking on the World Cup Weekender, Cascarino disclosed that he received information during the interval suggesting the Norwegian was struggling with sickness.
“I got a message at half-time that apparently Erling Haaland wasn’t well,” he said.
“He was another one who was suffering from a sickness.”
The situation mirrors that of England midfielder Declan Rice, who was confined to his bed for several days before the fixture and could only manage 45 minutes of action.
Erling Haaland was feeling unwell after a sickness bug tore through the Norwegian camp
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REUTERS
Cascarino observed that the striker appeared physically off throughout the encounter, lacking his usual dynamism.
“Whatever we say, he didn’t look right physically,” he explained.
“He doesn’t touch the ball a lot anyway but I was surprised about how much energy he lacked as well.”
The former forward noted that both Haaland and teammate Alexander Sorloth seemed to be missing their typical drive during the match.
England defenders John Stones and Marc Guehi, who train alongside Haaland at Manchester City, would have anticipated a far more demanding challenge from the prolific goalscorer, yet faced only limited attacking threats throughout the contest.
Norway manager Stale Solbakken addressed the substitution in his post-match comments, confirming that withdrawing his star striker had been a straightforward call.
England have reached their fourth-ever World Cup semi-final | REUTERS
“It was not a tough decision to take him out, because he was finished,” Solbakken stated. “Maybe I should have taken him out ten minutes before.”
The quarter-final marked the first knockout stage match of the tournament in which Haaland failed to find the net, having previously scored twice against Brazil in the last sixteen.
Jude Bellingham’s brace proved decisive for England, who now advance to face Argentina in the semi-finals.
