Erling Haaland responded to criticism from Sweden Ludwig Augustinsson in brutal fashion during Sunday’s Nations League clash.
Norwegian striker Haaland bagged two goals and provided an assist as his nation edged out the Swedes 3-2 in their Scandinavian derby in Nations League Group B4. Haaland continued his prolific international form with a brace – taking his tally for Norway to 20 goals in 21 caps.
Haaland, who has agreed a deal to join Manchester City this summer from Borussia Dortmund, headed home the opener in the first half and doubled Norway's lead from the spot after the break. Aged 21, the striker is now just 14 away from being the top men's scorer in Norway's history.
The striker’s perseverance also set up Norway's third as Alexander Sorloth made it 3-1, after Emil Forsberg pulled one back with a smart finish from Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski's assist, while Viktor Gyokeres of Coventry set up a nervy finish with another for the visitors in the 95th minute.
It was a result that put Norway – who will miss out on this year’s World Cup finals – at the top of the group, taking them three points clear of Serbia and seven of Sweden, who are one point and one place above basement side Slovenia.
It was the second time inside the space of a week where Haaland bagged a brace against Sweden, as his goals propelled his side to a 2-1 away win last in the second round of matches. However, that game was also remembered for Haaland’s comments after the game.
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After the game in Stockholm, the majority of the post-match discourse was centred around the battle between Norway's talisman and the Swedish midfielder Alexander Milosevic. Haaland wasted little time in giving his side of events to reports as tempers eventually simmered.
"First he called me a w****, I can safely say that I am not," the 21-year-old forward told Norwegian outlet TV2. "Secondly, he said he was going to break my feet, a minute and a half later I scored. That was fine," Haaland recalled while laughing - clearly not phased by the alleged threat.
It must be said that Milosevic has strongly denied these claims and insisted he said no such thing to Haaland during the game. "I never called him a w****. I don't want to waste time on things that have been said on the pitch.”
Milosevic also made the point that the language barrier would have prevented him from relaying the kind of hurtful messages Haaland has accused him of. "I don't speak or understand Norwegian. I don't know if he speaks Swedish. What happened on the pitch stays there, I'll just move on."
Milosevic’s Swedish international teammate Augustinsson said ahead of the return game in Norway: “I've been to Spain and Germany and many serious things are said there between the players. That's something you have to deal with and not repeat in the media. As a player, you have to learn that."
The Sevilla defender added: "It was a bit immature from him (Haaland), because that can be something that annoys you, but there is a derby feeling between Sweden and Norway and those things can happen in the game." Haaland has the last laugh with his double against the Swedes, with his four goals across the two matches proving decisive in an encounter with a strong rivalry.
