Erling Haaland has claimed he was called a "w****" by Swedish opponent Alexander Milosevic during Norway's 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory in what was a heated affair in Stockholm.
Norway ran out 2-1 winners in a contest that saw all three goals come from Manchester's finest with United star Anthony Elanga netting a late consolation after City new boy Haaland bagged a brace to hand his country the win. Norway's second goal was followed by a controversial celebration from Haaland, who made sure to celebrate directly in front of Milosevic after their long-running battle.
Two goals from the former Borussia Dortmund sensation ensures his goal tally in a Norway shirt now sits at 18 in 19 appearances. The win also leaves Norway sitting top of their Nations League group after two wins from two games.
After the game, the majority of the post-match discourse was centred around the battle between Norway's talisman and the Swedish midfielder. 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's been said on the pitch."
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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."
Another big Norwegian name has waded into the dispute after Arsenal's Martin Odegaard leapt to the defence of his fellow countryman and close friend. The Gunners playmaker insisted he did not understand Sweden's tactic of trying to get into Haaland's head but reminded them it did not work given his goal-scoring exploits.
"No, I did not get it with me. They must try all sorts of tricks when they fail to stop him in the usual way," the Norway skipper explained. "But it did not help much, he scored two decisive goals again."
Haaland is never one to shy away from confrontation on the pitch and that could put him in good stead for his debut campaign in the Premier League next term.
