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Topics: Erling Haaland, Norway, Sweden, UEFA Nations League
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Erling Haaland, Norway, Sweden, UEFA Nations League
Norway forward Erling Haaland celebrated in the face of Sweden's Alexander Milosevic during their Nations League clash, just three minutes after the defender said he was going to 'break' Haaland's legs.
The 21-year-old striker, who has recently reached an agreement to sign for Premier League champions Manchester City, netted a brace for his country on Sunday night to take his international tally to 18 goals in 19 games. Not bad, ey.
Unsurprisingly, the prolific Haaland was once again a huge threat going forward against Janne Andersson's side. He converted his penalty in the 20th minute before making it 2-0 in the 69th minute with a great finish.
Haaland proceeded to aim his post-goal celebrations at Sweden defender Alexander Milosevic and many wondered why. Well, according to the man himself, Milosevic fired some not-so-subtle abuse at the Norwegian prior to scoring.
“First he called me a wh**e. I can safely say that I am not," Haaland told TV2.
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“Secondly, he said he was going to break my legs, a minute and a half later I scored. That was fine, that.”
Footage shows the AIK centre-back having a word with Haaland, who looked far from impressed with what was said.
Milosevic, who said after the full-time whistle that Haaland wasn't one of the best players he has ever faced, has since denied those claims made by the soon-to-be Manchester City forward.
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“I would not have said that,” he said. “It is quite rude to say what he says, because I do not speak Norwegian and he does not speak Swedish, so I do not know how we should communicate.
"I do not speak English on the pitch, so it is special that he says things I have not said.”
The 30-year-old was then asked if there was any argument with Haaland on the pitch. “No, not really, to be completely honest,” Milosevic said. “I have played matches where I have been more annoyed."
Norway teammate Leo Skiri Østigård warned you should never try and fire up Haaland because it will come back to bite you.
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"That's the dumbest thing to do," Østigård said via TV2. "To fire up Erling - I've tried to do it in training, and I'll never do it again. It's something he likes, and then it slams fast behind you."
After the full-time whistle, Haaland was filmed dancing to his own song – Der Haaland by DJ 11 – following his goalscoring heroics.
His brace against Sweden means Norway have secured two wins in their opening two Nations League games in Group H.