Norway's forward #09 Erling Haaland asks for substitution during the UEFA Nations League Group 4 football match between Portugal and Norway at Dragao stadium in Porto on October 3, 2026. (Photo by Miguel RIOPA / AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City appear to have suffered a major injury blow after Erling Haaland demanded to be subbed off during his Norway clash with Portugal.
The Norwegian goalscorer signalled to the bench to be taken off in the 67th minute of the last gasp Nations League 2-1 defeat to the Portuguese.
The 26-year-old came close to putting his side ahead before falling to the floor.
The superstar striker was seen limping off to be replaced by Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen.
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But Haaland returned to the Estadio do Dragao pitch to applaud the fans without his socks on.
Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer controlled Martin Odegaard’s floated cross before striking a half-volley into the top corner to put the Vikings up.
Just minutes later, Joao Cancelo collected Nuno Mendes’ long throw-in and smashed home to equalise in Seleção das Quinas’s first game since Cristiano Ronaldo left the camp to retire.
Haaland went close for Norway – just before he was replaced.
Then it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s successor Goncalo Ramos who won the match poking in from close range after Joao Felix squared the ball with just 11 minutes left.
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There will be fears over whether Haaland will be fit enough to return to Manchester City’s tough trip to Anfield on Sunday – the first match since the club were found guilty of all charges of breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations.
PORTO, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 04: Erling Haaland of Norway after the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Portugal and Norway at Estadio do Dragao on October 04, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
An independent commission has found that City arranged ‘sham contracts’ and had been ‘relying on sham agreements to artificially inflate the club’s revenues and reduce its costs’.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Copa/Getty Images)
City have been accused of artificially inflating the club’s commercial revenue by £830 million between 2009 and 2018.
Guardiola broke his silence by backing City’s owners and told supporters ‘we will get through this together’ and may even be present at the game to show his solidarity.
Man City's upcoming fixtures
(PA Wire)
October 11 | Liverpool (A) | Premier League
October 14 | PSG (H) | Champions League
October 17 | Ipswich Town (H) | Premier League
October 20 | AEK (H) | Champions League
October 24 | Aston Villa (A) | Premier League
October 28 | Brighton (H) | Carabao Cup
In his message on social media this week, Guardiola posted a picture alongside City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and wrote: ‘I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever.
‘I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano, CEO], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear – we will get through this together. I love you all.’