Haaland double sends Norway into World Cup last 32
Norway secured a place in the World Cup last 32 after defeating Senegal 3-2 in an entertaining Group I clash. The victory marks a major achievement for Norway, who are appearing in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
The star of the match was Erling Haaland, who scored twice and continued his outstanding form in the tournament. The Norwegian striker now has four goals in just two World Cup matches, making him one of the competition’s standout performers. Senegal started strongly and caused problems for Norway during the opening stages. The African side controlled possession and limited Haaland’s influence for much of the first half.
However, Norway found the breakthrough just before the interval. Substitute Marcus Pedersen scored after a defensive mistake by Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, while goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was unable to keep the ball out of the net.
Norway doubled its lead shortly after the second half began. Martin Odegaard delivered a precise pass that allowed Haaland to fire a powerful shot into the top corner. Ten minutes later, Haaland struck again with a superb volley that bounced in off the crossbar, giving Norway a commanding advantage and sending their fans into celebration.
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Despite several defensive errors, Senegal continued to fight back. Ismaila Sarr scored twice, including a goal in stoppage time, raising hopes of a dramatic comeback. However, Norway held firm and secured all three points, guaranteeing their place in the knockout round. The result means both Norway and France have qualified for the last 32 from Group I. The two teams will now meet to determine who finishes at the top of the group.
The match was played in rainy conditions after thunderstorms had affected the area earlier in the day. Many fans arrived wearing rain ponchos, while travel disruptions and weather warnings created challenges around the stadium. Norwegian supporters dominated the atmosphere and celebrated enthusiastically after the final whistle. The players joined their fans in a traditional “Viking row” celebration on the pitch to mark a memorable victory.
