Erling Haaland delivered his second consecutive World Cup brace as Norway edged Senegal 3-2 on Monday, securing their place in the last 32 with a game to spare.
Substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen opened the scoring late in the first half in New Jersey, and Haaland doubled Norway’s lead shortly after halftime.
Senegal pulled one back through Ismaila Sarr, but Haaland quickly restored the two-goal cushion by capitalizing on more defensive lapses from the African side.
Despite a late consolation goal from Sarr, Norway progressed to the knockout stage, buoyed by Haaland’s four goals in just two tournament matches matching the double scored by Lionel Messi earlier in the day, which took the Argentine to a record 18 World Cup goals. Not to be outshone, Kylian Mbappe also netted a brace as France defeated Iraq 3-0.
Norway, now unbeaten in 17 of their last 18 matches, will face France in Boston on Friday in a clash to decide the group winner. Senegal, meanwhile, must beat Iraq in their final match to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Propelled by the prolific Haaland—whose international tally has soared to 59 goals in 52 appearances—Norway claimed back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time. Their dominant performance against Senegal reinforced their reputation as potential dark horses for the tournament.
Norway asserted themselves early, with Kristoffer Ajer forcing a superb save from Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy, though they soon lost full-back Julian Ryerson to injury. Captain Martin Odegaard missed a golden chance before Mendy again denied him, following clever interplay with Haaland and Antonio Nusa.
Senegal’s resistance faltered just before halftime when a costly error from captain Kalidou Koulibaly gifted the ball to Pedersen, whose low drive slipped under Mendy. Haaland nearly added another before the break but struck the post, making no mistake three minutes into the second half when Odegaard’s incisive pass launched a devastating counterattack.
Senegal responded as Sarr finished coolly after a creative flick from Sadio Mane, but Koulibaly’s defensive woes continued, failing to clear a cross that Haaland volleyed in off the bar, sending Norwegian fans—famous for their viral rowing chant—into celebration.
