Norway are through! Erling Haaland scored twice in a 3-2 win over Senegal. This was his second World Cup brace in a row, and it carried Ståle Solbakken's side into the round of 32 with a group game still to play.
Norway are through! Erling Haaland scored twice in a 3-2 win over Senegal. This was his second World Cup brace in a row, and it carried Ståle Solbakken's side into the round of 32 with a group game still to play.
The first goal came late in the first half. After Senegal missed an opportunity to take the lead through Nicolas Jackson, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen scored after Captain Kalidou Koulibaly played a loose ball straight to him, and Édouard Mendy allowed the shot to creep under him.
Three minutes after the break, it was 2-0 for Norway. Martin Ødegaard surged through midfield and slid Haaland in behind, and the finish past Mendy left no doubt.
Senegal hit straight back through Ismaïla Sarr, who poked home after a clever flick from Sadio Mané. Then Koulibaly switched off again and Patrick Berg crossed a ball towards Haaland, who steered a volley in off the bar. Sarr's second deep in stoppage time set up a nervy finish, but Norway held on.
Solbakken did not hide his delight, though he kept a straight face about how tight it got. "If we had just played slightly worse, then we would be in trouble," he said. On his striker, he went further: "No, I mean, he is the best striker, he is not playing for France or Argentina, he scores for Norway. He's scored four goals now, two braces on the biggest stage."
The Norway boss also weighed Haaland's Golden Boot odds against the company he keeps. "It's easier to win the Golden Boot when you play for France and Argentina, but we'll try to give Erling more games, and more help also in the next games. So he's on fire, and I'm very happy for him that he can score on the biggest stage."
Asked about the last group match, Haaland played down Norway's chances. He told Fox News that France is the clear favorite.
This win hands Norway six points, just like France, locking up the top two places before the final round. Senegal can now only reach the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed sides, and that route is narrow.
They must beat Iraq on the last matchday and win by a wide margin to lift their goal difference of -3 high enough to survive the wildcard cut. Eight of the 12 third-placed teams advance.
Norway and France, level on six, meet on the final matchday, on June 26, to settle the group winner and runner-up. Senegal close their group against Iraq, who are also yet to take a point.
