Manchester City striker Erling Haaland had another quiet outing last night, this time for his country Norway against Spain.
Haaland featured the other night against Cyprus.
That was a better day at the office for him as he scored two goals in a 4-0 win.
But Spain were always going to be a different kettle of fish.
Norway needed a win in Oslo to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
But a goal from Gavi resulted in defeat, and Norway have now missed out on the Euro 2024 finals, with Scotland and Spain both qualifying.
Simply put, Norway just couldn’t get their key men involved enough, one such player being Haaland…
Norwegian media unimpressed with Erling Haaland as Spain defeat Norway
It was a comfortable win for Spain, despite only a one-goal margin.
They dominated the ball throughout.
Norway were just very disappointing and created next to nothing in the contest.
And Haaland did not get the best write up from Norwegian publication Nettavisen, who said: “Received very little help before half-time, but Haaland was almost a team alone in the first half. Has become irresistible with a man at his back, and was about to accomplish the big thing when he ran all over the pitch against a terrified Spanish defence.
“The problem is that he got far too little involved for a Norwegian team that mostly defended against a ball-proof away team. Clearly frustrated after half-time when he barely got to touch the ball.”
More frustrating for Erling Haaland
Games against Spain can be tough because they always dominate the ball.
So there was always potential for Haaland to be very quiet in last night’s game.
But unfortunately, Norway just didn’t have moments of their own, and the £51 million star was managed easily in the end.
That is something that’s happened the last few times he’s turned out for City.
‘Frustrated’ is a term that keeps cropping up with Haaland at the minute. Hopefully, he can emerge out of this mini-slump as soon as possible.
