Haaland's Double Sends Norway to Knockout Stage

Norway survived a Senegal onslaught to claim a crucial 3-2 victory in Group I, with Erling Haaland scoring twice to secure their qualification to advance to the knockout stage. The Africans fought back from 2-0 down with a goal from Ismaila Sarr before mounting a desperate late assault, but Norway held firm.

Erling Haaland scored his second World Cup 2026 brace in a row as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday to punch their ticket to the last 32. Norway substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen struck late in the first half in New Jersey before Haaland doubled the lead shortly after the break. Sarr cut the deficit for Senegal, only for Haaland to punish more slack defending as Norway moved through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare, despite a late consolation from Sarr.

Manchester City forward Haaland now has four goals in two games at the tournament, hot on the heels of Lionel Messi's double earlier in the day, which carried him to a record 18 World Cup goals. Not to be outdone, Kylian Mbappe scored another brace too as France beat Iraq 3-0.

Norway have lost only once in their last 18 matches and will take on France in a compelling battle for top spot in the group in Boston on Friday. Senegal must beat Iraq, who are also without a point, in their final game to stand a chance of avoiding an early exit.

Led by the unstoppable Haaland, who increased his astonishing international goals tally to 59 in 52 games, Norway recorded back-to-back wins at the World Cup for the first time. They added weight to the belief they can do serious damage at these finals with a dominant display against a Senegal side that paid heavily for their errors.

Norway quickly set the tone as Kristoffer Ajer's header forced Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy into a terrific save with his legs at a corner, but they lost full-back Julian Ryerson to injury early on. Captain Martin Odegaard skied over an inviting cut-back from the right for Norway, as Nicolas Jackson looked Senegal's most dangerous threat. Mendy again came to Senegal's rescue with a superb block to deny Odegaard after Haaland cushioned down Antonio Nusa's chipped cross into the box.

But Mendy allowed Pedersen's low drive to creep under him after a dreadful mistake from skipper Kalidou Koulibaly gave the ball to the replacement right-back on the edge of the box. Haaland rolled against the post from a tight angle after Mendy got in a tangle, but he made amends three minutes into the second half as Norway sliced Senegal apart on the counter-attack. Odegaard surged upfield and slid a pass through to Haaland, who buried an emphatic finish past Mendy to add to the two goals he scored in Norway's opening 4-1 victory over Iraq.

Senegal clawed their way back as Sarr showed great composure to poke home after tumbling to the ground following a clever flick into the area by Sadio Mane. However, Koulibaly was at fault once more, failing to clear as Haaland steered a volley in off the crossbar from Patrick Berg's cross, delighting Norwegian fans who provided a colourful backdrop with their viral rowing chant.

Mory Diaw came on for the injured Mendy in goal, but only a headed goalline clearance from Pathe Ciss prevented Oscar Bobb from netting Norway's fourth. Sarr's second of the night set up a tense finish, but Norway held on to join France in the next round and leave Senegal's hopes hanging by a thread.