Haaland scored two goals as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 to advance to the World Cup World Cup 2026

Senegal battled until stoppage time but could get no closer and must beat Iraq to have any chance of progressing.

Erling Haaland scored his second World Cup in a row as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 to secure their place in the last 32 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Norwegian substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen struck late in the first half before Haaland doubled the lead just after the break in Group I on Monday.

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Ismaila Sarr cut off Senegal’s lead, only for Haaland to punish a lackluster defense as Norway progressed on the knockout stages with a game to spare despite Sarr’s late consolation.

Manchester City forward Haaland now has four goals in two games this season, hot on the heels of Lionel Messi’s feat earlier in the day, which took him into the game. scoring 18 World Cup goals. Not beyond, Kylian Mbappe scored another goal while France beat Iraq 3-0.

Norway have lost just once in their last 18 games and face France in a crucial battle for top spot in Boston on Friday.

Senegal need to beat Iraq, who have no points, in their last game to have any chance of avoiding an early exit.

Led by the unstoppable Haaland, who extended his international goals tally to 59 in 52 games, Norway won back-to-back World Cups for the first time.

They added weight to the belief that they could do more damage in this final game and showed more against a Senegalese team that paid more for their mistakes.

Norway quickly converted when Kristoffer Ajer’s header forced Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy into a dangerous save with his legs for a corner, but defender Julian Ryerson was injured early on.

Captain Martin Odegaard burst in from the right for Norway, with Nicolas Jackson looking to be Senegal’s most dangerous threat.

Mendy saved Senegal again with a superb block to deny Odegaard after Haaland brought down Antonio Nusa’s cross in the box.

But Mendy allowed Pedersen’s descent to get under him after a dangerous mistake from goalkeeper Kalidou Koulibaly gave the ball to the substitute on the right of the box.

Haaland headed over the bar from close range after Mendy’s challenge, but he converted three minutes into the second half as Norway split Senegal in attack.

Odegaard stepped up and passed to Haaland, who finished confidently past Mendy to add to the two goals he scored in Norway’s 4-1 opener in Iraq.

Senegal were unable to come back as Sarr showed courage to head home after falling to the ground following a smart tackle in the area by Sadio Mane.

However, Koulibaly also had a problem, failing to control when Haaland headed in a volley from Patrick Berg’s cross, delighting the Norwegian fans who gave a beautiful display with their viral song.

Mory Diaw came on for the injured Mendy in goal, but only Pathe Ciss’ clearance prevented Oscar Bobb from scoring Norway’s fourth.

Sarr’s second of the night was a difficult finish, but Norway held on to join France in the next round and leave Senegal’s hopes hanging by a thread.

Sarr also became the first Senegalese player to score at two different World Cups.