Erling Haaland 'text' claim forces Norway doctor to respond emphatically

Norway's national team doctor has responded after claims about Erling Haaland's condition for the World Cup quarter-final with England were made by a British journalist.

Despite going 1-0 up through Andreas Schjelderup in the 36th minute, Norway were beaten by Thomas Tuchel's side after Jude Bellingham bagged a brace to send England in the semi-finals.

Haaland was unable to add to his seven goals scored in his first tournament and had a quiet outing in Miami.

John Stones and Marc Guehi, two defenders who he knows extremely well, had a relatively easy time dealing with Haaland.

In a rare sight, the Manchester City star was replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen at half-time in extra time when Norway were chasing a goal.

The decision took many by surprise but Norway manager Stale Solbakken said it was an easy one to make as he felt Haaland's game was done as a result of a "dead leg combined with fatigue".

"It was not a tough decision to take him out, because he was finished," Solbakken said.

However, on talkSPORT, Tony Cascarino claimed there was a different reason that Haaland was not quite right at the Hard Rock Stadium.

READ MORE: Erling Haaland's dad branded salty for five-word reaction to England beating Norway

Norway did suffer with an illness outbreak in the tournament, while England star Declan Rice was in bed for three days before he took the pitch and played 45 minutes against the Scandinavian side.

But citing sources in the know, Cascarino stated that Haaland was also unwell going into the game and that was the factor behind his below-par display.

"No, I was told last night, I got a message at half-time that apparently Erling Haaland wasn't well," the former Chelsea striker said on talkSPORT.

"He was another one who was suffering from a sickness.

"So, obviously the manager has alluded to it saying fitness issues, and he clearly didn't look right.

"Whatever we say, he didn't look right physically.

"He's come off, and he didn't say an injury. So I presume it was exactly what I just said. He suffered from not being well."

"He was unwell, yeah. He was unwell prior to the game.

"He doesn't touch the ball a lot anyway but I was surprised about how much energy he lacked as well.

"Him and Sorloth both looked like they didn't have the sort of drive. I just looked at him afterwards and thought, well, what I'd heard in half-time - I'm saying I know it from somebody who would know that - he was meant to be [sick], he wasn't well."

Norway doctor responds to claims made about Erling Haaland vs England

The question was put to Norway's national team doctor Ola Sand but he gave an emphatic response. Asked by Norwegian outlet Dagbladet, he simply replied, "No" when asked if Haaland was sick.

Haaland did not appear to be suffering from any illness as he and his teammates went out in Miami.

They were seen in a nightclub watching rapper Flo Rida perform, with Haaland enjoying himself despite the World Cup exit.

Haaland struck five times in seven games in the tournament and his brace against Brazil in the round of 16 will live long in the memory of Norway supporters.

The Premier League Golden Boot winner is set for an extended period of rest before he returns to City for the new season.