EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — On a rainy evening in New Jersey, Norway came out strong in the first half of its second 2026 World Cup match against Senegal, Erling Haaland scored another brace and Norway picked up a valuable three points with a 3-2 win on Monday.
Norway clinched a spot in the Round of 32 with the victory.
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In a stadium filled with mostly Norwegian supporters, the team started strong, generating four corners and a terrific goal-scoring opportunity in the first 10 minutes. While possession was split 50-50 in the first half, Norway was much more dangerous (1.22 expected goals to Senegal’s .32).
Marcus Pedersen broke through in the 43rd minute off a bad turnover from Senegal, blasting a shot past goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Mendy was responsible for two other fantastic saves in the first 45 minutes, or else the scoreline could have been more lopsided at the break.
Superstar Erling Haaland was relatively quiet in the first half, although he missed two opportunities right before the half to score. He wouldn’t miss his chances in the second half.
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Haaland scored in the 48th minute off a quick counter attack, slotting a left-footed shot into the upper right-hand corner past Mendy to make it 2-0 Norway.
Senegal got one back a few minutes later, as Ismaïla Sarr showed great strength to hold off a Norwegian defender and find the back of the net in the 53rd minute.
Haaland scored his second goal of the match just give moments later, volleying a cross with his weaker right foot past the keeper. It’s Haaland’s fourth goal in two World Cup matches and he’s now tied for second with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race. Argentina’s Lionel Messi leads the race with five.
Senegal made it interesting, as Sarr netted another goal in stoppage time, but Norway was able to see the game out and hold on for a 3-2 victory.
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Mbappé and Messi also scored two goals on Monday, and a parlay of the three scoring at least two goals could be had for as high as 80-1 at some sportsbooks. It’s the second time in this World Cup that all three players have scored at least two goals on the same day.
Norway will next face France on Friday at 3 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, to determine the winner of Group I. Senegal will take on Iraq at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, also on Friday at the same time.
