Omanghana
Norway national football team secured a dramatic 3–2 victory over Senegal national football team at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday night, with Erling Haaland delivering another decisive performance to guide his country into the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
The result sees Norway move level on six points with France at the top of Group I, while Iraq are officially eliminated and Senegal now face a precarious path to survival.
Erling Haaland continued his remarkable tournament form, scoring his second consecutive World Cup brace to take his tally to four goals in just two matches, firmly establishing himself as the early frontrunner in the Golden Boot race.
First-half pressure rewarded as Norway strike first
After a spell of sustained Senegal possession, Norway capitalised on a defensive lapse in the 43rd minute. Marcus Holmgren Pedersen pounced on a turnover and unleashed a powerful finish beyond goalkeeper Édouard Mendy to give the Norwegians a 1–0 lead.
The goal shifted momentum just before the break, with Norway taking control of the match at a crucial stage.
Rapid-fire start to the second half
Norway doubled their advantage immediately after halftime. Captain Martin Ødegaard orchestrated a swift counter-attack before threading a perfectly timed pass to Haaland, who finished clinically with a sliding left-footed strike in the 47th minute.
Senegal responded almost instantly. In the 52nd minute, Ismaïla Sarr latched onto a pass from Nicolas Jackson, controlling under pressure before scoring while falling to reduce the deficit to 2–1.
Haaland restores control as Norway hold firm
Norway’s response was swift and decisive. Just five minutes later, Haaland struck again in the 57th minute, adjusting brilliantly to a cross and guiding a finish in off the underside of the crossbar with his right foot to restore a two-goal cushion.
Despite Senegal’s late pressure, Norway’s defensive structure held firm for much of the closing stages.
In stoppage time (90+2), Sarr grabbed his second goal of the match to make it 3–2, but the comeback effort came too late to change the outcome.
Group I picture and knockout implications
The victory places Norway level with France on six points at the summit of Group I, setting up a decisive final group-stage showdown between the two sides.
France national football team will face Norway in a high-stakes clash that will determine who finishes top of the group.
For Senegal, the defeat leaves their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, while Iraq’s elimination has already been confirmed following earlier results.
With Haaland in unstoppable form and Norway surging at the perfect moment, the Scandinavian side now stand on the brink of a historic World Cup campaign.
Source: Omanghana
