Pep Guardiola has spoken out on Erling Haaland’s accomplishments for Norway after the Manchester City striker was sent home early from international duty. The 25-year-old bagged a hat-trick, after missing a penalty, in his country’s 5-0 victory over Israel which put them on the verge of securing a place at the 2026 World Cup.

He reached 21 goals for the season for club and country, having taken his international tally to 51 in Oslo, after just 46 matches. But perhaps curiously, Haaland was not only left out of the team for Norway’s next match in the international break, he was sent home from the camp completely.

New Zealand travelled to Norway and secured a 1-1 friendly draw, with Finn Surman opening the scoring before Antonio Nusa equalised just after the hour mark.

It was a slightly more experimental lineup from Stale Solbakken, however, with Wolves talisman Jorgen Strand Larsen leading the line and City starlet Sverre Halseth Nypan awarded his debut off the bench.

Meanwhile, Haaland and a number of his international colleagues had already travelled back to their clubs.

A statement from the Norwegian FA explained: "Sebastian Sebulonsen is...