Haaland scores twice as Norway edge Senegal 3-2 to reach World Cup last 32

Erling Haaland scored twice to send Norway into the FIFA World Cup round of 32 with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on Monday, taking his tally for the tournament to four goals in two appearances.

Marcus Pederson opened the scoring in the 43rd minute after coming on as an injury replacement, and Haaland extended the lead with goals in the 48th and 58th minutes to put Norway firmly in control at 3-1. Ismaila Sarr pulled one back for Senegal in the 53rd minute and added a second in the third minute of second-half stoppage time to set up a tense finish, but Norway held on.

“It’s my specialty to score goals,” Haaland said. “I’m just really good at scoring goals.”

For his first, Haaland ran onto Martin Ødegaard’s pass and drove a left-footed finish past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to cap a sweeping counterattack. He then joined Ødegaard in paying tribute to Thierry Henry by performing the French World Cup winner’s trademark corner-flag celebration. His second was equally clinical — tunnelling through the defence and volleying in Patrick Berg’s pass with his weaker right foot from eight yards out.

Haaland nearly added a third in first-half stoppage time, striking the post after Mendy fumbled. Norway coach Ståle Solbakken was characteristically blunt in his assessment: “He did miss an open goal. He could have scored even four. He is the best striker — he is not playing for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway.”

The 25-year-old now has 24 goals in his last 12 international games, scoring in every one of them, and 59 goals in 52 appearances for Norway. He joins England’s Harry Kane — who achieved the feat at Russia 2018 — as the only players in the past 50 years to register two-goal games in each of their first two World Cup appearances. Haaland sits second in the Golden Boot standings, one goal behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi and level with France’s Kylian Mbappé.

After the final whistle, Norway’s players and staff gathered in a tight ten-row formation inside the penalty area, facing their red-shirted supporters with Haaland at the front as Ødegaard beat a bongo drum. Together with the fans, they performed the Viking Row — chanting “Ro!” while mimicking oarsmen pulling at oars.

“It was fun,” Solbakken said. “We will not be rowing after the World Cup, but this can be a gimmick during the tournament.”

Senegal, now 0-2 at this World Cup for the first time in their history, must beat Iraq — also winless — in their final group game to have any chance of advancing as a third-place qualifier. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw offered a terse verdict on the man who had undone his side: “He’s very efficient.”