Haaland and Anderson's Humorous Clash: Fan Comment Sparks Banter

2026-08-12

Recently, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland had a humorous interaction with his new teammate Elliot Anderson on social media, drawing attention from football fans. During the exchange, Haaland appeared to still hold a grudge against Anderson, with the joke seemingly linked to their controversial clash during this summer's World Cup.

In the World Cup quarter-final between Norway and England, the match was level at 1-1 when Torbjørn Heggem scored from a rebound following a corner kick to put Norway ahead. However, after a VAR review, the referee ruled out the goal, believing that Haaland had pushed Anderson to the ground during the battle for position. Many fans felt that Anderson had exaggerated the fall, while others argued that Anderson had made the first move against Haaland. Haaland himself later described the decision as a "soft" call.

Even after some time had passed, Haaland appeared to have not forgotten the incident. After posting a picture with the caption "Back in sunny Manchester!" a fan commented asking him to say hello to Anderson. Haaland responded almost immediately:

"That diver?"

The reaction amused fans, with many agreeing with Haaland's playful response in the comments section. Some supporters joked that "he still hasn't forgotten the match against England," while others pointed out that Haaland's attitude toward Anderson remained cold, saying: "Haaland is still angry."

Both players are now set to return to training after their extended holidays and prepare together for the upcoming Community Shield match against Arsenal. Due to their involvement in the World Cup, both missed a large portion of Manchester City's pre-season preparations, but their goal is to be in top condition and perform at their best when they face Arsenal.