Norway reached the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time in 28 years, defeating Senegal 3-2 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The result, combined with France’s concurrent victory over Iraq, leaves both European sides on six points at the top of Group I and sets up a direct confrontation in Boston on Friday to determine the group winner. For Senegal, pointless after two matches, progression now depends on beating Iraq and relying on the arithmetic of the best third-placed teams.

The contest turned on a defensive error three minutes before half-time. Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly misjudged a clearance, allowing substitute right-back Marcus Holmgren Pedersen to drive a low shot past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Erling Haaland, who had earlier struck the post after dispossessing Mendy, doubled the lead three minutes after the restart, latching onto Martin Odegaard’s through ball and rifling a left-footed finish into the top corner. Ismaila Sarr pulled one back for Senegal in the 53rd minute, showing composure after Sadio Mane’s clever flick, but Norway restored the two-goal cushion five minutes later when Patrick Berg crossed for Haaland to steer a right-footed volley in off the underside of the crossbar. Sarr’s second goal, deep into stoppage time, ensured a tense finale, yet Norway held on.

Haaland’s brace took his tournament tally to four goals in two appearances, level with Kylian Mbappe and one behind Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. The Manchester City forward has now scored 59 times in 52 international matches and found the net in 12 consecutive competitive outings for his country. After the match, he struck a characteristically direct note. “To qualify for the first time in 28 years and going through the group stage, yes, I would say so. To win the World Cup, absolutely not,” he said, urging a measure of realism. The evening closed with Norwegian players joining their supporters in the viral ‘Viking Row’ celebration, a synchronised rowing chant that has become the visual signature of their campaign.

Viewed from African football circles, Senegal’s predicament is compounded by self-inflicted wounds. Koulibaly’s errors bookended a defensive performance that also saw Mendy injured and replaced late on. Coach Pape Thiaw acknowledged the difficulty, stating, “We’re not dead yet,” but the Lions of Teranga must now beat Iraq and hope other results fall favourably. Norway, meanwhile, carry the group’s most potent attack into a meeting with France that will determine whether their knockout path runs through a group winner’s supposedly gentler draw.