Norway coach Stale Solbakken defended Erling Haaland and several other Premier League players after they hired a private jet and made a swift getaway from Porto last night. Just half an hour after the final whistle sounded at the Estadio do Dragao following Norways 2-1 defeat to Portugal, Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge and Kristoffer Ajer were spotted getting into a minibus and being whisked to a local airport to travel back to England.It is believed from there they will disappear for a short holiday before the Premier League resumes this weekend.Solbakken told VG: It wasnt just Haaland who left early. Theres a whole bunch of people leaving now. They need a breather. They have been given a few days off from their clubs.I understand that they book a private plane when they have two or three days off. You have to remember that the teams that went far in the World Cup have many players who have had minimal holiday time. Then its right into the start of the season and then a mini international tournament. Its an extreme strain.Haaland went off due to exhaustionHaaland lasted 67 minutes of the game against Portugal before signalling to come off. He was spotted with a slight limp when leaving the stadium but Solbakken said the substation was always pre planned.He added: We were hoping for 60 minutes after the conversation we had yesterday, and he managed just over 65.When he returns from his mini-holiday, Haaland will walk into the maelstrom that has been absorbing Manchester City while he has been away.City were found guilty on 114 charges of financial malpractice and also of obfuscating the investigation. They have denied any wrongdoing and last week appealed the verdict.Former Borussia Dortmund star Haaland has not spoken on the subject since linking up with Norway and the City players are likely to be kept away from the media ahead of Sundays game at Liverpool.City can expect a hostile reception at Anfield with Liverpool the club that have arguably suffered more than any other as a result of Citys methods. Topics Erling Haaland Liverpool F.C. Manchester City F.C. Norway National Football Team Portugal National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Portuguese chief confident he can solve misunderstanding but Jesus wont apologise to Ronaldo Jon Fisher 5th October, 2026 Portugal 2-1 Norway: Ramos completes turnaround as defending champions book quarter-final spot Nicholas McGee 4th October, 2026 Portugal v Norway: Ajer and Cancelo trade first-half stunners Nicholas McGee 4th October, 2026 Portugal v Norway: Confirmed line-ups as defending Nations League champions aim to maintain 100% start Nicholas McGee 4th October, 2026 England call-up Man City defender Lewis Tom Rostance 4th October, 2026 Teenager Sullivan breaks USMNT record with wonder lob against Mexico Tom Rostance 4th October, 2026
