Erling Haaland, a striker for Manchester City, withdrew from the Norway team due to injury for their first Euro 2024 qualifying match.

PHOTO | COURTESY Haaland withdraws from national team squad

After tallying a hat-trick in City's 6-0 demolition of Burnley in the FA Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, Haaland, 22, developed a groin issue.

Therefore, he will be unable to watch Norway's Group A matches against Georgia and Spain.

Erling found it difficult to battle for the team, according to Norway coach Stale Solbakken.

Fortunately, this group still has plenty of talent, confidence, and unity to succeed in the upcoming games.

Ola Sand, a doctor for Norway's national team, added: "It became obvious yesterday after testing and inspections that he will miss the games against Spain and Georgia. It is preferable that he continue his medical care at his club."

PHOTO | COURTESY Haaland will miss Euro qualifiers for Norway

After making his Norway debut in September 2019 at 19, Haaland has netted 21 goals in 23 matches.

His treble against Burnley for City brought his season total to 42 goals in 37 games across all competitions, including five goals in a 7-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig earlier this month in the Champions League.

The team led by Pep Guardiola is now in second place in the Premier League, eight points behind Arsenal with one game remaining. On April 1, Liverpool will be their next opponent at Etihad Stadium.

Next month, they will play Championship team Sheffield United in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley and Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals.

PHOTO | COURTESY Haaland got an injury in the FA cup

His withdrawal comes after Manchester United Marcus Rashford also withdrew from England national team squad due to an injury in the FA cup.

The English Premier League will take a break up to April 1 to pave the way for the international matches over the weekend.

England will face Italy in the Euro qualifiers. Italy defeated England in 2021 on penalties shootout after a full-time 1-1 draw which saw the match go into penalties where Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka missed the target from the spot.