ERLING Haaland scored his second World Cup brace in a row as Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 at New York New Jersey Stadium in the early hours of today to secure their place in the last 32.
Norway substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen struck late in the first half, before Haaland doubled the lead shortly after the break in the Group I fixture.
Ismaila Sarr cut the deficit for Senegal, only for Haaland to punish more slack defending as Norway progressed 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.
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 counterattack.
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 goal-line 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.
Sarr also became the first Senegalese player to score at two different World Cups.
In Group J, Algeria came from behind in the early hours of today to beat Jordan 3-1:and keep their knockout rounds hopes alive.
Substitute Nadhir Benbouali struck in the 69th minute off a Riyad Mahrez assist to pull Algeria level, before Nizar Al-Rashdan netted the winner with eight minutes left on the clock.
Earlier, Mbappe scored his second brace of the tournament, and France eased to a 3-0 victory over Iraq in the first match of this World Cup beset by a lengthy weather stoppage.
Mbappe’s goals came nearly three hours apart after thunderstorms in the region last night delayed the second-half kickoff by a shade under two hours.
They take him to 16 all-time World Cup tallies, pulling him level with former record-holder Miroslav Klose. Earlier on Monday, Lionel Messi set a new benchmark of 18 career World Cup goals with his brace in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria.
Mbappe’s four goals also place him one behind Messi in the 2026 Golden Boot race.
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele also scored after half-time for two-time champions France, who are assured of progressing.
France dominated the early stages, and Mbappe capitalised in the 14th minute.
He unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area that sailed beyond Ahmed Basil’s dive.
The delay could have served as a recovery period for Iraq, who spent most of the match chasing the ball. Instead, they gifted France and Mbappe a second on a dreadful mistake from a goal kick.
Dembele was the provider for Mbappe’s tap-in. He scored 12 minutes later, after controlling Olise’s incisive pass into the 18-yard box and finishing low past Basil.
With the outcome never in doubt, the weather provided the drama.
After referee Drew Fischer blew his half-time whistle as storms were already beginning, the skies opened further, and spectators were told to seek shelter in the stadium concourses.
Players finally re-emerged for warm-ups about 1 hour and 40 minutes later, and even then, the restart was delayed further as stadium personnel used squeegees to shuttle standing water off the east side of the pitch.
RESULTS
Jordan 1-2 Algeria
Norway 3-2 Senegal
France 3-0 Iraq
Argentina 2-0 Austria
Agency reports
