Erling Haaland came under intense scrutiny from sections of the Norwegian media after a quiet outing in Norway’s 1-1 draw with Morocco in New Jersey on Sunday, although head coach Stale Solbakken moved quickly to defend the Manchester City forward.
The 25-year-old arrives at this summer’s World Cup as the leading figure in a Norwegian side carrying growing expectations following qualification for the tournament.
However, his latest appearance for the national team prompted criticism from local journalists, who questioned both his influence and overall performance during a match intended to sharpen preparations ahead of the competition.
Haaland enjoyed another prolific campaign with Manchester City, finishing the season with 38 goals in all competitions.
Twenty-seven of those strikes came in the Premier League, helping him secure the division’s Golden Boot award once again.
His club season ended on a high note when he scored in City’s 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth on 19 May.
Following that fixture, manager Pep Guardiola opted to rest the striker for City’s final league match against Aston Villa, allowing him additional recovery time before joining up with the Norway squad.
Sunday’s encounter with Morocco marked his return to competitive action. Expectations were naturally high given his goalscoring reputation, but the match proved difficult for the City forward, who struggled to make a significant impact during the 72 minutes he spent on the pitch.
Statistics from the game highlighted his limited involvement. Haaland registered only four touches throughout his time on the field and managed just one effort on goal, which was blocked before troubling the opposition goalkeeper.
Television footage also appeared to show a brief disagreement involving the striker and one of Norway’s physiotherapists, adding further attention to an otherwise frustrating evening.
Norwegian press deliver harsh verdict
The reaction from Norwegian media outlets was swift and unforgiving.
Several publications produced critical assessments of Haaland’s display, with some of the country’s leading sports journalists expressing disappointment at what they viewed as an ineffective performance from their star player.
Dagsbladet awarded the Manchester City striker a rating of just two out of 10, making him one of the lowest-rated performers on the pitch.
Explaining their assessment, the publication wrote: “The striker was invisible in the first half. He played himself up after the break, but this was actually a shockingly weak rehearsal.”
The criticism did not stop there. Norwegian broadcaster TV2 also handed Haaland a disappointing score, giving him three out of 10. That mark was the lowest rating awarded to any member of the Norway squad following the draw.
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Such evaluations underline the level of expectation surrounding the forward. Since bursting onto the international stage, Haaland has become the face of Norwegian football and one of the most feared strikers in world football. As a result, performances that fall below his usual standards often attract significant attention.
The pressure has increased further because of Norway’s long-awaited return to the World Cup. The Scandinavian nation has not appeared at football’s biggest tournament since 1998, making this year’s qualification a landmark achievement for both players and supporters.
For many observers, this Norwegian squad represents the country’s strongest generation in decades. Alongside Haaland, the team boasts several highly regarded talents who have established themselves at leading European clubs.
Captain Martin Odegaard has become a central figure for Arsenal, while Oscar Bobb continues to attract attention following his development after leaving Manchester City.
Antonio Nusa has also emerged as one of Norway’s brightest young prospects and is expected to play an important role during the tournament.
