Norway booked their place in the World Cup last 32 on Monday after a 3-2 victory over Senegal in New Jersey, with Erling Haaland scoring twice to continue his remarkable scoring run and set a new national record.
The Manchester City striker took his World Cup tally to four goals in just two matches, becoming Norway’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament and helping his side secure qualification from Group I alongside France.
Norway strike first
Norway had looked the more threatening side for much of the contest and eventually took the lead late in the first half.
Marcus Pederson, who had come on as an early substitute, capitalised on a poor clearance from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly to put Stale Solbakken’s side ahead before the break.
The goal gave Norway a deserved advantage after they had controlled large periods of a scrappy opening half.
Haaland takes centre stage
Haaland’s influence grew immediately after the restart.
Just three minutes into the second half, he raced onto a precise through ball from Martin Odegaard before finishing confidently to double Norway’s lead and move ahead of every other Norwegian player on the World Cup scoring charts.
The goal marked another milestone for the 25-year-old, whose impact on his first World Cup continues to grow.
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Senegal responded through Ismaila Sarr, who reduced the deficit and briefly revived his side’s hopes of a comeback.
However, Haaland restored Norway’s two-goal cushion five minutes later, meeting a cross with a controlled side-foot volley that struck the bar before crossing the line.
Haaland’s record-breaking form
The brace extended Haaland’s outstanding run for Norway.
He has now scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches for his country and has registered at least two goals in each of his last six appearances.
His latest contribution also underlined his importance to Norway’s World Cup campaign as they progressed to the knockout stage with a game to spare.
Before opening his account, Haaland had shown flashes of his quality in the first half. He produced a clever pass to set up Odegaard, who failed to convert, before striking the post after dispossessing Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Those missed opportunities ultimately had little impact as the striker delivered when it mattered most.
Senegal fall short
Senegal continued to fight and ensured a tense finish when Sarr scored his second goal deep into stoppage time.
The Crystal Palace forward nearly rescued a point moments later but sent a late header over the bar as Norway held on for victory.
The result leaves Senegal needing a win against Iraq in their final group match to maintain any realistic chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
Focus shifts to group finale
Norway will face France in their final Group I fixture on Friday, with both teams already assured of a place in the knockout rounds.
The contest will determine which nation finishes top of the group.
For Haaland, the focus will be on maintaining a scoring streak that has already placed him among the standout performers of the tournament and rewritten Norway’s World Cup record books.
