Erling Haaland continued his sensational scoring form as Norway secured a place in the World Cup last 32 with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Senegal on Monday.
The Manchester City striker scored twice for the second consecutive match, taking his tournament tally to four goals and helping Norway qualify for the knockout stage with one group game still to play.
Substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen broke the deadlock late in the first half in New Jersey before Haaland doubled Norway’s advantage shortly after the restart.
Senegal fought back through Ismaila Sarr, who reduced the deficit after a well-worked move involving Sadio Mane. However, defensive mistakes once again proved costly for the African side as Haaland punished another lapse at the back to restore Norway’s two-goal cushion.
Sarr grabbed his second goal of the night late on to set up a nervy finish, but Norway held firm to claim all three points and join France in the knockout rounds.
Haaland’s latest double further underlined his remarkable international record, with the prolific striker now boasting 59 goals in just 52 appearances for Norway.
The Scandinavians have now won back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time in their history and extended their impressive recent run to just one defeat in their last 18 internationals.
Norway dominated much of the contest and could have taken the lead earlier when Kristoffer Ajer’s header forced a superb save from Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Captain Martin Odegaard and Haaland also went close as the Norwegians repeatedly threatened.
The breakthrough eventually arrived when Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly gifted possession to Pedersen, whose low strike slipped underneath Mendy and into the net.
Just three minutes into the second half, Norway struck again on the counter-attack. Odegaard surged forward before threading a perfect pass into Haaland’s path, allowing the striker to fire confidently beyond Mendy.
Senegal showed resilience and pulled one back through Sarr, but Koulibaly’s difficult evening continued when he failed to clear Patrick Berg’s cross, allowing Haaland to volley in off the crossbar for his second goal of the match.
Norway could have added more goals, with Oscar Bobb denied by a goal-line clearance, while substitute goalkeeper Mory Diaw was called into action after Mendy was forced off injured.
Although Sarr’s second goal ensured a tense ending, Norway held on to seal qualification and set up a potentially decisive showdown with France for top spot in the group.
Senegal, meanwhile, must defeat Iraq in their final group match and hope results elsewhere go their way if they are to keep their World Cup dream alive.
