Two goals, four for the tournament, and a Viking row for the ages — Erling Haaland is making Norway believe at their first World Cup in 28 years.
By Norman Mwale
Erling Haaland scored twice for the second match running as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 at New York New Jersey Stadium on Monday, securing their place in the knockout round with a game to spare at their first World Cup since 1998.
The Manchester City striker, who now has four goals in two appearances, put on another masterclass after a dominant display against Iraq in the opener. Substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen had broken the deadlock in the 43rd minute, latching onto a loose Kalidou Koulibaly clearance to rifle past Édouard Mendy, and Haaland took control from there.
Three minutes after the restart, Martin Ødegaard threaded a perfect pass between the Senegal centre-backs and Haaland timed his run to perfection, controlling before drilling a left-footed finish past Mendy’s outstretched hand to make it 2-0. It was the kind of movement and finish that has become almost routine for him — and yet, at a World Cup, it never quite loses its ability to take the breath away.
Senegal responded. Ismaïla Sarr, Senegal’s most dangerous threat throughout, collected a Sadio Mané lay-off in the 53rd minute and shrugged off David Møller Wolfe to poke home and halve the deficit. But Norway were not done. In the 58th minute, Patrick Berg won possession in the penalty area after Koulibaly again failed to clear, and his low cross was met by Haaland, who lifted his weaker right foot to volley in off the underside of the crossbar. Three-one.
Senegal pushed for a way back and Sarr got his second in the third minute of stoppage time, firing home to set up a tense finish that Solbakken later described as “the longest ten minutes of our lives.” Norway held on through nine minutes of added time to clinch all three points and their place in the last 32.
Haaland, who now has 59 goals in 52 international appearances and has scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches for Norway, was his usual understated self afterwards. “I’m just really good at scoring goals,” he said. “It’s my specialty. To qualify for the first time in 28 years and go through the group stage — yes, I would say that is my World Cup. Every single Norwegian on the planet today should be happy.”
Solbakken praised his striker while warning against complacency. “He is the best striker — he is not playing for France or Argentina, he scores for Norway,” the coach said. “He could have scored four. He missed an open goal. But he is on fire, and I am very happy for him.” He also confirmed that Norway’s viral Viking row celebration with the travelling supporters after the final whistle was not going away. “It was fun,” he said. “We will not be rowing after the World Cup, but this can be a gimmick during the tournament.”
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw refused to single out Haaland as the problem. “He is very efficient,” Thiaw said. “We’ve got everything left to play for.” His side, now bottom of Group I without a point, must beat Iraq in their final group game to preserve any hope of advancing as a third-place qualifier.
Norway, level with France on six points at the top of Group I, face Les Bleus in Foxborough on Friday. First place — and a potentially easier knockout path — is the prize.
At this rate, Haaland will not settle for just making history. He looks like a man who wants to win it.
Scoreline: Norway 3–2 Senegal Scorers: Pedersen 43′, Haaland 48′, 58′, Sarr 53′, 90+3′ Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford
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