The international break brought an unexpected twist for Erling Haaland: instead of a routine warm-up — an urgent visit to the doctors. The Norway and Manchester City striker suffered a facial cut by the team bus in Oslo. The scene looked alarming for a moment — blood, pain, medics rushing — but within a few hours the forward reassured supporters and even turned the episode into a joke. Ahead lies a qualifying match against Moldova, and judging by the reactions of the player himself and the staff, the leader of Norway’s attack intends to be on the pitch.
Incident in the Parking Area: Seconds of Inattention — and a Metal Blow
The incident occurred outside the team’s hotel, where the squad is based before the qualifier. As Haaland was exiting through the rear door of the bus, the luggage compartment suddenly swung open and struck him in the face. According to eyewitnesses, the impact was substantial: the striker shouted an expletive, and his lip immediately started bleeding.
Immediate Care and "Three Stitches"
Norwegian FA security adviser Geir Ellefsen and the national team doctor Ola Sand were on the spot — they stopped the bleeding and escorted the player for treatment. Later, Erling posted a Snapchat story with a terse summary: “three stitches,” plus a photo taken after the incident. Team press officer Morten Morrisbak Skjænsberg confirmed there was no threat to his health, the situation was under control, and the forward’s mood was businesslike.
Self-Irony on Social Media: Took the Hit, Kept His Composure
Once it became clear there were no serious consequences, Haaland returned to his usual interaction with fans. He joked about the small cut below his lip — “looks fine” — and played the “wrong answers” game with followers: when asked if he had taken a punch, he responded with laughter. When another fan jokingly “blamed” Martin Ødegaard for the incident, Erling chimed in with the same playful tone.
Focus on Moldova and the Qualification Race
Despite the cut, Haaland is expected to be ready to help the team in September’s final match of the qualifying window against Moldova. Norway lead Group I alongside Israel, Italy, Estonia, and Moldova: over the course of the campaign they have beaten everyone, including an emphatic 3–0 against Italy. There is no room for complacency, though — Israel are only three points back, four rounds remain, and the fight for Norway’s first World Cup in 28 years is still intense. For Ståle Solbakken’s side, the key task is to maintain the pace of a leader; for Haaland, it’s to turn the unfortunate parking-lot episode into extra motivation on the pitch.
