Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland is set for disappointment as Norway’s hopes for Euro 2024 qualification were dashed on Saturday. Norway’s fate for a possible playoff was cut by Israel’s 2-1 defeat to Romania, even when they are yet to face Scotland on Sunday. Despite Norway having a chance to secure a playoff spot if Israel had won, Romania’s victory in Group I cemented their direct qualification for Euro 2024. The outcome means Israel will join Bosnia in the Path B playoffs, leaving Haaland’s Norway on the sidelines. 
Erling Haaland’s Norway kicked out of Euro 2024 tournament – Getty image Meanwhile, the Manchester City striker, who had already announced his unavailability for the match against Scotland due to an ankle problem, faces another blow, still awaiting his first qualification for an international tournament. In an earlier interview, Haaland said, “Unfortunately, I am missing tomorrow’s (Sunday) game against Scotland. Wishing the boys all the best. Now treatment and trying to get back asap.” But Norway’s coach Stale Solbakken, has clarified that Haaland’s injury is not a severe one, but acknowledged it might take a while for him to return to the pitch.
The 22-year-old who had been on fine form for City before the international break, had to be withdrawn from Norway’s squad due to a groin problem and therefore missed their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Spain and Georgia. Though he has had enough time to rest and also visited the hospital, Guardiola who gave an update on Haaland’s injury on Friday, March 31, said while the player went through a crucial final training session today, he and the doctors will decide how he feels. 
Guardiola said; “Erling [Haaland] is recovering, this afternoon we have the last training session and we are going to see how he feels. We’ll see today. At the end, the doctors and the player will decide how he feels, I spoke with him, he feels good. We will see. Life is risk in these stages, we have to take it.” 
Haaland was withdrawn at half-time against Villa following a collision with Emiliano Martinez in which he appeared to take a blow to his thigh. He underwent a brief treatment before going on to provide an assist for Ilkay Gundogan in a 3-1 win and making it through to the interval unscathed. Guardiola told Sky Sports that substituting the Norwegian during the march was partly precautionary, and they are waiting on the outcome of medical tests before making a full assessment of the 22-year-old’s potential involvement in a crunch clash with Arsenal on Wednesday, February 15. 
He said; “Haaland had a big knock, he was uncomfortable. At 3-0 we don’t want to take risks. We’ll see and assess in the next days. If he is not ready, we play another one. Hopefully he’s ready but we will see.”