Man City: Haaland hits late World Cup winner, Brazil next
City forward Haaland celebrates Norway’s 2-1 Round of 32 win over Ivory Coast by wearing a Viking helmet and leading a ‘Viking row’ with teammates and fans after scoring to reach the last 16 vs Brazil.
City target Rayan Cherki features late as France beat Sweden 3-0, with Mbappé scoring twice and Olise starring. France face Paraguay next in Philadelphia.
Maresca’s ‘morning, baldie’ greeting from past City spells resurfaces as he starts pre-season. Focus turns to transfers, right-back interest, midfield work and Rodri’s post-World Cup surgery.
Haaland nets 86th-minute winner in Norway’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, reaching five goals at the World Cup. City striker sets up last-16 tie with Brazil and extends run to 13 straight competitive games scoring.
James Trafford will seek clarity from Enzo Maresca on his City future as Newcastle, Brighton, Aston Villa and Juventus circle. With Gianluigi Donnarumma likely No 1, a £35m-£45m move could follow.
Lamine Yamal says he is ‘ready for 90 minutes’, praises Pedri and notes Rodri’s calm. Spain seek wins over style after mixed group stage.
Non-World Cup City players report 20 July. World Cup players return later, with some missing the Hong Kong and South Korea tour. Rodri faces post-World Cup surgery, risking City’s start under Maresca.
City’s 18-year-old keeper Oliver Whatmuff joins Stockport County on a 2026/27 loan, reuniting with Jimmy McNulty after 18 clean sheets for Rochdale and a Wembley play-off shootout heroics. First-team role expected.
Bernardo Silva, linked away from City and now a Real Madrid signing, refuses to discuss club matters, saying he is ‘happy but focused on Portugal’ at the World Cup.
Tuchel recalls penalty-shootout ‘scars’ from facing Guardiola with Dortmund, says England have elite shootout plans and warns against complacency before DR Congo.
Maresca brings Pep-style positional play with a more aggressive, man-to-man press and 3-box-3 full-back roles. Doku wide, Haaland central, Ait-Nouri suited. Midfield playmaker likely needed after Bernardo Silva’s exit.
City’s Erling Haaland becomes the fastest to 60 international goals. Norway now face a major World Cup test, with knockout stages to define their campaign.
Manchester United push to sign City academy duo Xavier Parker and Karim Cassim, pitching a faster senior pathway. City’s Thomas Krucken and Oliver Reiss work on counter-offers to keep the England youth pair.
Maresca hails City’s ‘young, but very good’ squad after £116m Elliot Anderson deal, says ‘we need to do some things’ with Hugo Viana as City target further signings across midfield, full-back, attack and keeper.
With Rodri set for surgery and a delayed start, City may push to sign Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi now rather than loan him back, after initial talks amid interest from multiple clubs.
Dortmund ready to sell Felix Nmecha, with City, Liverpool and United tracking. Asking model mirrors Bellingham, with a €100m base plus achievable add-ons if bids arrive after his World Cup displays.
