Viewers expressed shock after Norway manager Stale Solbakken substituted star striker Erling Haaland during extra time in their World Cup quarter-final match against England, fueling concerns regarding a potential injury.

Haaland has been a central figure in Norway’s successful tournament run, which marks their first World Cup appearance since 1998. The forward has scored seven goals throughout the competition, including two in a standout victory over Brazil in the round of 16 that secured the team’s place in the final eight.

Despite trailing 2-1 against England and requiring his goalscoring ability to stay in the match, Solbakken made the unusual choice to substitute Haaland at the half-time mark of extra time.

Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsen replaced the star. Larsen had spent the week leading up to the Miami fixture battling illness to ensure his fitness for the match.

“It has to be an injury,” Alan Shearer told BBC Sport. “There is no way you take Haaland off if you are in desperate need of a goal.”

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson added: “It must be fatigue for Erling Haaland because we have not seen him go down with an injury and it’s not a decision the manager would want to make.”