A brace from Erling Braut Haaland saw Norway edge past Senegal 3-2 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I second match in the early hours of Tuesday 23 June, 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, United States (US).
The result means Norway are through to the Round of 32 alongside Group toppers, France, while, Senegal and Iraq are stuck in the bottom half of the Group after recording two (2) losses each.
Haaland, who fields for Premier League Club, Manchester City, netted twice for Norway, his 58th and 59th goals for the Lions in his 52nd international game.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker’s brace came after Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe had recorded braces for their respective countries, Argentina and France.
Marcus Pedersen opened the scoring for Norway in the 43rd minute; and, just three (3) minutes into the second half, Arsenal midfield maestro, Martin Odegaard, supplied the ball to Haaland, who converted to make it two for the European side.
In the 53rd minute, Al Nassr forward, Sadio Mane, assisted Crystal Palace forward, Ismaila Sarr, who netted the first for the Lions of Teranga.
Sarr’s goal brought the West African side back into the contest, but, it was not enough to inspire a comeback as Norway added the third through Haaland in the 58th minute with an assist from Bodø/Glimt defensive midfielder, Patrick Berg.
Senegal continued to fight until the 3rd minute of additional time when Sarr once again found the back of the net, converting an assist from Nicolas Jackson.
With this outcome, Norway and France are level on points with six (6)points with the Les Bleus topping Group I, while, Senegal and Iraq are third and fourth respectively, both with zero (0) point.
Next for Norway and Senegal
Norway will face Argentina in the final Group I match on Friday 26 June, 2026 at 20:00 (WAT) at Boston Stadium in Foxborough Town, Massachusetts, United States (US).
The clash between the Lions and White and Sky Blue will determine who wins the Group.
To wrap up their preliminaries, Senegal will take on Iraq on Friday 26 June, 2026 at 20:00 (WAT) at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada.
Photo: Striker Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring for Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Senegal in New York City, US on Tuesday
