By Daniel Akinte
Norway underlined their growing credentials at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Senegal, securing a place in the knockout rounds and setting up a mouthwatering showdown with France for top spot in Group I.
On a rain-soaked evening at the New York New Jersey Stadium, Erling Haaland once again stole the spotlight, scoring twice to continue his remarkable goalscoring streak and move within touching distance of the tournament’s Golden Boot race.
The Scandinavian side had to work for their victory against a spirited Senegal team that refused to go quietly, but Norway’s quality in key moments ultimately proved decisive.
After a largely scrappy first half, Norway found the breakthrough two minutes before the interval. A costly mistake from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly allowed Marcus Holmgren Pedersen to pounce and fire past Edouard Mendy, handing Norway a deserved lead.
The goal gave Ståle Solbakken’s men momentum heading into the second half, and they doubled their advantage just three minutes after the restart. Martin Ødegaard produced a perfectly weighted through ball that split the Senegal defence, allowing Haaland to race clear and finish emphatically into the top corner.
Senegal responded almost immediately. A slick move involving Sadio Mané ended with Ismaïla Sarr squeezing a finish beyond Ørjan Nyland to cut the deficit and briefly revive Senegal‘s hopes.
However, Haaland struck again before the hour mark. Another defensive lapse from Koulibaly gifted Norway possession in a dangerous area, and after Patrick Berg’s cutback found him inside the box, the Manchester City striker volleyed brilliantly under the crossbar to restore his side’s two-goal cushion.
The brace took Haaland’s tally to four goals in just two World Cup matches, matching Kylian Mbappé and trailing only Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
Senegal refused to surrender and continued to push forward in search of a comeback. Their persistence was rewarded deep into stoppage time when Sarr grabbed his second goal of the evening, but it arrived too late to deny Norway all three points.
The result leaves Norway level on six points with France at the summit of Group I, with only goal difference separating the two sides ahead of their highly anticipated final group-stage meeting.
For Senegal, the defeat leaves them with plenty of work to do. Defensive mistakes once again proved costly, and despite flashes of attacking quality, they remain without a point after two matches. Their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 now rest on defeating Iraq in their final group game.
As for Norway, confidence continues to grow. With Ødegaard pulling the strings in midfield and Haaland delivering goals at an astonishing rate, they are emerging as one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams.
Their clash with France promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the group stage, with Haaland and Mbappé set to battle for supremacy in a contest that could shape the path to World Cup glory.
