Norway secured their place in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a result that leaves the Scandinavians level on six points with France at the top of Group I and eliminates any lingering doubt about their knockout credentials. Erling Haaland scored twice for the second consecutive match, taking his tournament tally to four goals, while Marcus Pedersen opened the scoring late in the first half. Ismaila Sarr replied with a brace for Senegal, but the African side’s defensive errors proved decisive.

The contest turned on a pair of mistakes by Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly. With halftime approaching, his miscued clearance fell to substitute right-back Pedersen, who drove a low shot past Édouard Mendy in the 43rd minute. Norway had lost Julian Ryerson to injury early on, yet Pedersen’s intervention gave them a lead their first-half pressure merited. Haaland, who had earlier struck the post after dispossessing Mendy, doubled the advantage three minutes after the restart, racing onto Martin Ødegaard’s through ball and rifling a left-footed finish into the top corner. Senegal responded immediately when Sadio Mané’s clever pass found Sarr, who poked home to make it 2-1. But Koulibaly failed to clear again five minutes later, and Patrick Berg’s cross was volleyed in off the crossbar by Haaland with his weaker right foot. Sarr’s second goal, deep in stoppage time, created a nervy finale, though Norway held on.

Haaland’s four goals in two games place him level with Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, one behind Lionel Messi’s five. The Manchester City forward has now scored in 12 consecutive competitive internationals, registering at least two goals in each of the past six, and his overall record stands at 59 goals in 52 Norway appearances. European observers note that Norway, absent from the World Cup since 1998, are shaping into a dangerous knockout-stage opponent, their blend of Ødegaard’s craft and Haaland’s finishing proving difficult to contain. African analysts, meanwhile, point to Senegal’s uncharacteristic defensive disarray — they have conceded five goals in two group matches — as the primary reason they sit on zero points and face probable elimination.

Norway will meet France in Boston on Friday with top spot in the group at stake; a draw favours the French on goal difference. Senegal must defeat Iraq in Toronto and hope other results fall their way to advance as one of the best third-placed teams. The jubilant Norwegian supporters, who performed their viral rowing chant throughout the evening, will travel north knowing their side has already exceeded expectations, while the Lions of Teranga confront a must-win scenario that leaves no margin for the errors that undid them in New Jersey.