Erling Haaland admitted he’s “getting a little tired of my own name” after another few days of being the centre of attention.
The Norway striker scored twice last night as Stale Solbakken’s side kept their slim hopes of Euro 2024 qualification alive with a 4-0 win in Cyprus.
Norway face Spain in Oslo on Sunday knowing another victory is required to maintain their push for a top-two finish in Group A.
Haaland’s second-half brace moved him to second on the all-time list of Norway goalscorers. He has 27, scored in just 27 appearances, six shy of leader Jorgen Juve with 33.
The 23-year-old is the key player for club side Manchester City and his country and he admits the focus that comes with it can be draining.
Speaking after the game in Larnaca, he told TV2: “It’s a bit stressful at times and I’m starting to get a bit tired of my own name.
“I appreciate the support, and this is what I wanted so I’m not complaining about it.”
He added: “It was an important victory, and now we have to start thinking about Spain. We all put up a good fight. Now we just have to get home to Oslo and settle in well.
“We know Spain are a good team. We must do our best and all of Norway must support us.”
Kampen er slutt og ender med en komfortabel og solid 4-0-seier til Norge👏👏 Erling Braut Haaland (2), Alexander Sørloth og Fredrik Aursnes målscorere. Nå gleder vi oss til Spania på Ullevaal på søndag! pic.twitter.com/cD7IfqkJlX
— Fotballandslaget (@nff_landslag) October 12, 2023
Haaland’s goals against Cyprus were his first in four matches for club and country, leading to criticism in some quarters that he was not looking as sharp as last season when his 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions helped City to a European and domestic treble.
His Norway team-mate Jorgen Strand Larsen, who replaced Haaland with 13 minutes to go, angrily dismissed the critics.
He told Dagbladet: “It’s just nonsense. Erling scored about 10,000 goals last season and is clearly the best striker in the world.
“It’s not a goal drought when you’re talking about three games. When you get up to 10, 12 games, that’s a goal drought.”
