Virgil van Dijk meets his match as Erling Haaland scores in opposition to him and breaks the Dutchman’s finger earlier than the Netherlands captain shoves away a pitch invader

Erling Haaland and Virgil van Dijk confronted off for the third time final evening, with the Liverpool and Netherlands defender having a tough evening in a 1-1 draw with Norway.

Dutch captain Van Dijk returned from a long-term damage to begin the season with Liverpool final month, and has hinted a return to his earlier degree is perhaps attainable regardless of a debilitating knee damage.

Haaland, one of many world’s main younger skills, constructed up his opponent pre-game calling him the very best defender he’s met after their earlier two Champions League clashes when Haaland was at Salzburg.

“I do not likely concern anybody, I feel he’s the very best defender,” Haaland mentioned.

“I feel fairly a number of others within the room agree with me on that. He’s quick, robust and ‘dangerous’ good, and they’re three essential issues you could have.

“I’ve performed in opposition to him twice, I’ve mentioned that he’s the very best I’ve met. He is an effective participant, so we have now to attempt to mess around him.”

Haaland managed a purpose beforehand in opposition to van Dijk again within the 2019/20 Champions League group phases, asserting himself on the world stage with eight targets in six video games earlier than shifting to Borussia Dortmund.

And on Wednesday evening he managed one other in opposition to the 2019 UEFA Males’s Participant of the Yr, sending a shot previous a sliding van Dijk for a 20th minute lead within the World Cup qualifier.

Issues later obtained worse for Van Dijk, 30, damaging his finger in the beginning of the second half, and his tormentor Haaland was as soon as once more accountable.

“I feel I broke van Dijk’s finger,” Haaland mentioned post-match .

“He got here as much as me and mentioned ‘f***ing hell, I feel you broke my finger.’ I do not know the way it occurred.”

The Netherlands managed to take some extent from the tie in Louis van Gaal’s first recreation again within the sizzling seat, with former Everton midfielder Davy Klaassen scoring the equaliser.

Nevertheless, the drama wasn’t but over for van Dijk, when an carried away supporter ran on the pitch to embrace him throughout an interview.

We’re used to scenes of the likes of Neymar indulging followers who run on the pitch, however the Netherlands captain had no time for such pleasantries, swiftly pushing the pitch invader again the place he got here from.

This fan needed to take a selfie with Van Dijk throughout an interview.

Not a good suggestion 😅 pic.twitter.com/9RLT97ARAB

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 2, 2021