EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — On a wet night in New Jersey, Norway started off strong in the first half of their second match in the 2026 World Cup against Senegal. Superstar Erling Haaland netted two goals, helping Norway secure a crucial 3-2 victory.
This win guaranteed Norway a place in the Round of 32.
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With a stadium predominantly filled with Norwegian fans, Norway began aggressively, creating four corners and a solid scoring chance within the first 10 minutes. While possession was evenly matched in the first half, Norway posed a greater threat (1.22 expected goals compared to Senegal’s 0.32).
Marcus Pedersen found the net in the 43rd minute after seizing on a costly turnover from Senegal, striking the ball past goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Mendy made two excellent saves in the first half, which kept the score from being more lopsided.
Although Haaland was quieter in the first half and missed two chances just before halftime, he made his mark in the second half.
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Haaland scored his first of the night in the 48th minute during a rapid counterattack, expertly placing a left-footed shot into the top right corner to make it 2-0 for Norway.
Senegal responded shortly after, with Ismaïla Sarr showing remarkable strength to fend off a defensive challenge and score in the 53rd minute.
Haaland responded quickly, scoring his second just moments later with a volley from a cross using his less dominant right foot, notching his fourth goal in two World Cup matches. He is now tied for second place with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, trailing only Lionel Messi, who leads with five goals.
Senegal kept the tension alive, as Sarr scored again during stoppage time, but Norway managed to secure the 3-2 win.
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Mbappé and Messi also scored twice during the match, and betting odds for all three to net at least two goals were as high as 80-1 at certain sportsbooks. This marks the second instance in this World Cup where the trio has each scored at least two goals on the same day.
Norway’s next matchup is against France on Friday at 3 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which will determine the winner of Group I. Senegal will face Iraq at BMO Field in Toronto at the same time.