Erling Haaland was on the scoresheet as Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace, according to Aftonbladet. The match took place on Friday, August 28, 2026, with the Swedish outlet reporting that Haaland found the net despite debuting a new hairstyle.
Sveriges Radio also covered the game, noting that Haaland opened his goal account in the fixture. The victory over Crystal Palace marked a positive result for Manchester City, with Haaland's contribution central to the win.
The striker's new haircut generated as much discussion as his performance. Aftonbladet's headline referenced the fresh look, while Finnish broadcaster Yle consulted a children's panel about the style. One panelist was quoted as saying, "You play with your feet, not your hair," according to Yle. The comment suggests the young viewers were unimpressed by the aesthetic change but acknowledged it should not affect his play.
Not all reactions were lighthearted. Dagens Nyheter columnist Johan Esk expressed frustration, asking, "How in the hell were you thinking, Haaland?" in a piece critical of the decision. The column indicates that the haircut was not universally well-received, with at least one prominent Swedish journalist questioning the striker's choice.
The combination of on-field success and off-field chatter made the match a talking point across Scandinavian media. Haaland's ability to score while drawing attention for his appearance shows how his every move, both on and off the pitch, remains under scrutiny.
What to watch next: Whether Haaland keeps the new style or reverts to his previous look, and if the haircut becomes a recurring topic in post-match coverage.
