Erling Haaland is set to return to Manchester City ahead of schedule, leaving the Norway camp before their friendly against New Zealand. The 25-year-old striker was instrumental in Norway’s 5-0 victory over Israel on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick despite missing two early penalties.
This impressive performance brought his total goal tally for Norway to 51 in just 46 appearances. However, with only a friendly match remaining for Stale Solbakken’s side this international week, Haaland and several other players have been given permission to return to their clubs in preparation for domestic duties.
Despite Haaland’s departure, there’s still plenty for City fans to look forward to.
Oscar Bobb is potentially set to face New Zealand, while 18-year-old midfielder Sverre Nypan, who joined City from Rosenborg for £12.5million this summer, has received his first call-up to the senior team.
Nypan, currently impressing on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, captained Norway Under-21s in a 4-1 friendly defeat to Spain on Friday and is now poised for a senior debut against the All Whites in Oslo on Tuesday.
The Norwegian FA confirmed: “Sebastian Sebulonsen is in the Norwegian national team squad, he and Sverre Nypan are participating in today’s training.
“Players with particularly tight match schedules are returning home: Alexander Sorloth, Julian Ryerson, Erling Braut Haaland and Fredrik Bjorkan. Felix Horn Myhre is leaving the squad due to a sore ankle.”
Norway moved a step closer to World Cup qualification against Israel, having claimed six wins from six games.
In the match, Haaland became the fastest player ever to reach a half-century of goals for his country. He reached the 50-goal mark quicker than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Pele.
Their remaining group matches will take place during the November international break. They will host Estonia on November 13 and then travel to Italy three days later.
Italy face Israel on Tuesday and will be desperate for a win to close the gap to Norway to just three points, as they are staring at the prospect of missing out on next summer’s World Cup.
