Norway’s Nations League Hopes Dashed by Austria
A crushing 5-1 defeat to Austria in the Nations League has left Norway reeling, with captain Erling Haaland apologizing for the team’s subpar performance. The loss marked a significant setback for Ståle Solbakken’s side, which had been riding an unbeaten streak in the competition.
Haaland Takes Responsibility
Haaland, who led the team in the absence of injured captain Martin Ødegaard, took to Instagram to express his regret over the outcome. “Sorry everyone, this was far too bad on my part,” he wrote. The Manchester City striker also faced criticism for declining to answer questions from Norwegian press after the game.
Austria’s Dominant Display
Austria’s Marko Arnautovic stole the show with two goals, while Philipp Lienhart, Stefan Posch, and Michael Gregoritsch also found the back of the net. Alexander Sørloth’s 39th-minute strike proved to be a mere consolation for Norway. The Scandinavian side’s heaviest defeat since 2017 has raised concerns about their chances in the competition.
Teammate Comes to Haaland’s Defense
Despite the backlash, Haaland received support from teammate Sander Berge. “He has every right to do that,” the Fulham midfielder said of Haaland’s decision not to speak to the press. “You can feel the disappointment now. We are a team in there, we stand in ups and downs regardless. The most important thing is that we are united.”
Looking Ahead
As Norway regroups and refocuses, Haaland has already set his sights on the next challenge. “In November, we go for six points,” he declared. With their Nations League hopes hanging in the balance, Norway will need to bounce back quickly to stay in contention.
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