Norway reached the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with an impressive 3-2 victory over Senegal.
After opening their campaign with a 4-1 win over Iraq, Norway knew another victory would guarantee qualification. Stale Solbakken’s side started brightly and created early pressure, winning four corners in the opening four minutes.
Kristoffer Ajer came close to opening the scoring, but Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy produced an excellent save to keep his header out.
Norway suffered an early setback when Julian Ryerson was forced off through injury, but his replacement, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, quickly made his presence felt. Martin Odegaard missed a good opportunity from Pedersen’s cut-back before Senegal gradually worked their way into the contest. Sadio Mane created a chance for Nicolas Jackson, but the striker failed to hit the target.
The breakthrough arrived just before half-time after a costly mistake from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly. His misplaced pass fell straight to Pedersen, who drove his effort past Mendy to score his first international goal and give Norway a deserved lead.
Haaland nearly doubled the advantage before the break after dispossessing Mendy, but his effort struck the post. The Manchester City striker did not have to wait long after the restart, however. Three minutes into the second half, Odegaard led a swift counter-attack and slipped a perfect pass into Haaland’s path. The striker finished clinically to make it 2-0.
Senegal responded quickly through Ismaila Sarr, who finished brilliantly after a clever move involving Mane. Yet Norway restored their two-goal cushion just five minutes later when Haaland turned home Patrick Berg’s cross for his second goal of the evening and fourth of the tournament.
Sarr grabbed another goal in stoppage time, but Senegal could not complete the comeback as Norway held on for a famous victory.
The result sent Norway into the knockout rounds in their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Haaland’s international tally now stands at 59 goals in 52 matches, underlining his importance to the national team.
Despite Norway’s impressive start, Haaland was keen to keep expectations under control ahead of Friday’s final Group I clash against France.
“I don’t care, we are through,” he said when asked about facing the French. “They’ll probably beat us and go on and win the whole tournament.”
The 25-year-old was more interested in celebrating what Norway had already achieved.
“To qualify for the first time in 28 years and go through the group stage, yes, I would say this is special,” Haaland said. “To win the World Cup, absolutely not. Let’s be a little realistic and be happy, every single Norwegian on the planet today.”
Haaland also reflected on the celebrations shared by supporters and players after the final whistle.
“It was crazy,” he said. “Martin and I talked before the match about whether we should join in if everything went the way it did, and it did. It was a pretty special moment for the whole of Norway.”
The striker described the achievement as one of the greatest moments of his career.
“I want to achieve things with Norway. I want to qualify for the World Cup, the Euros and everything there is. The World Cup is without a doubt the biggest stage. It is huge. Completely fantastic.”
Norway will now face France in Boston on Friday with top spot in Group I at stake, while Senegal must beat Iraq and hope results elsewhere keep their World Cup hopes alive.
