Haaland Scores Brace in Second Straight Match as Norway Secures Early Spot in Round of 32

Led by star striker Erling Haaland (Manchester City), who scored a brace for the second consecutive match, Norway has secured its spot in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In their second Group I match held on Tuesday at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Norway held off a fierce chase from Senegal to win 3-2, thanks to an opening goal by Marcus Holmgren Pedersen and a brace from Haaland, despite Ismaïla Sarr scoring twice for Senegal.

Norway, which cruised to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their opening match—marking their return to the World Cup after 28 years—thanks to another brace from Haaland, secured back-to-back wins to collect six points (7 goals scored, 3 conceded). With this, they sit second in Group I behind France (2 wins, 6 goals scored, 1 conceded), who defeated Iraq 3-0 on the same day, and booked an early ticket to the Round of 32.

Norway is level on points with France but trails on goal difference.

Having already secured their spots in the Round of 32, Norway and France will face off for the top spot in the group in their final group stage match on June 27 at Boston Stadium.

The clash of pride between Haaland and France's Kylian Mbappé, both of whom have scored braces in two consecutive matches, is highly anticipated.

Senegal (3 goals scored, 6 conceded), who lost 1-3 to France in their opening match, suffered their second consecutive defeat alongside Iraq (1 goal scored, 7 conceded) but remained in third place on goal difference.

Norway suffered an early setback when right-back Julian Ryerson was injured just 13 minutes into the first half, forcing the hasty substitution of Pedersen.

With Ryerson, whose excellent crossing ability makes him a key contributor in set-pieces, leaving the pitch early, Norway's game plan seemed to be disrupted.

However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.


In the 3rd minute, Kristoffer Ajer's header from a Ryerson cross was saved, and in the 37th minute, Martin Ødegaard's left-footed shot from in front of the goal was blocked by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The deadlock was finally broken in the 43rd minute when Pedersen scored the opening goal to give Norway the lead.

A pass intended for the space behind the Senegalese defense was intercepted by central defender Kalidou Koulibaly, but his poor clearance fell to Pedersen, who found the back of the net with a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.

Pedersen scored his debut international goal on the World Cup stage, and did so after coming on as a substitute.

In the 49th minute of the first half during stoppage time, Haaland intercepted the ball as the goalkeeper hesitated, attempting to finish with his left foot from the right side of the goal area, but the ball hit the post, missing a chance to extend the lead.

However, Haaland quickly shook off the disappointment just three minutes into the second half.

He made it 2-0 by latching onto a through ball from Ødegaard that split the defense, charging toward the center of the goal and slotting it home with his left foot.

It was Haaland's third goal of the tournament.

Senegal did not back down easily.

In the 8th minute of the second half, Sarr ran onto a pass from Sadio Mané inside the penalty area, held off a defender, and fired home with his right foot to pull one back.

However, Norway restored their two-goal lead in the 13th minute of the second half when Haaland met Patrick Berg's low cross from the left with a first-time right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.

Senegal suffered further misfortune when starting goalkeeper Mendy was injured and replaced by Mory Diaw in the 18th minute of the second half. Despite this, they fought hard until the end, with Sarr scoring another goal in the 48th minute of the second half, but they could not find an equalizer.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.