Striker Erling Haaland of Manchester City has stated that he will attempt to recover “as soon as possible” from the injury he sustained prior to Sunday’s dead-rubber Euro 2024 qualifier between Norway and Scotland at Hampden.

Saturday morning, the free-scoring forward was absent from the squad due to an ankle injury sustained in the second half of Thursday’s 2-0 friendly victory over Faroe Islands.

The fact that Premier League leaders Man City are scheduled to face second-placed Liverpool in their first match back from the international break is cause for concern.

Haaland responded to the injury news via Instagram: “I regret to inform you that I will be absent from tomorrow’s match against Scotland. Optimistic wishes for the boys. “Currently undergoing treatment and attempting to return as soon as possible.”

Haaland’s absence from the match against Scotland was a “huge setback,” according to Stale Solbakken, but the Norway manager is optimistic that the Manchester City forward’s injury is not severe.

“It’s a major setback for any team, but we have previously played without him, occasionally with success and occasionally without,” Solbakken said on Saturday evening at Hampden.

“Since the beginning of qualification, when he was unavailable for the first two games, he has appeared in every single game; therefore, Thursday’s minor injury was regrettable for us.”

“The issue is the motion in his foot; however, it does not appear to be a severe injury. It remains uncertain whether he would have been fit to participate in the final.

“It is probably a little too early (for him to play), but it is not a career-threatening injury,” all parties agree.

Solbakken responded to the question of why Haaland, a club and national talisman, was risked in such a low-key match: “It was his decision. He desired to play for 45 minutes in an effort to maintain momentum during a week in which we may not have trained as frequently. He had made the decision.

“Three of the players had participated in numerous games; we engaged in discussions with each of them; Erling’s clear preference was to play for forty-five minutes.”

It was widely expected that Sunday’s match would determine qualification, but Scotland’s 2-1 victory in Oslo in June, which was decided by two goals scored in the final minutes to overturn Haaland’s penalty, has been shown to be decisive.

Already assured of a spot in the finals in Germany, the Scots lead third-placed Norway by six points. Should other results transpire in their favour, their chances of qualifying for the play-offs are exceedingly remote.

“It was likely the most agonizing defeat one will ever experience,” Solbakken said, referring to Scotland’s late comeback in the summer. “Although I still find myself roused at night contemplating the previous five minutes, such is life.

“Upon reflection, those five minutes were extraordinarily detrimental.” If not, tomorrow’s contest would have been a championship match. Such a statement speaks volumes.

We must, however, congratulate Scotland on an outstanding campaign. Not only have they performed exceptionally well in this campaign, but they have also done so in previous years.

“They have performed exceptionally well and have also been adept at securing victories in close games, which is crucial in national football due to the limited number of contests.”