Haaland brace fires Norway into last 32 after 3–2 win over Senegal
Haaland struck two crucial goals in a high-intensity clash, taking his tally to four goals in just two matches and becoming Norway’s leading scorer in World Cup history.
KATHMANDU: Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway secured a dramatic 3–2 victory over Senegal to book their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32.
Haaland struck two crucial goals in a high-intensity clash, taking his tally to four goals in just two matches and becoming Norway’s leading scorer in World Cup history.
Norway took the lead in the 43rd minute when Marcus Pedersen capitalized on a poor clearance from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly.
After the break, Haaland doubled the advantage just three minutes into the second half, finishing clinically from a superb assist by Martin Ødegaard.
Senegal responded in the 53rd minute through Ismaïla Sarr, briefly reviving their hopes.
However, Haaland restored Norway’s two-goal cushion in the 58th minute with his second strike of the match.
Sarr added another in stoppage time to narrow the deficit, and Senegal nearly forced a dramatic equalizer in the dying moments, but the header went wide.
Haaland has now scored in 12 consecutive international matches and registered multiple goals in six straight games, underlining his remarkable form on the global stage.
In the same group, France defeated Iraq 3–0, with both France and Norway advancing to the knockout stage with two wins each.
The two sides will now meet to decide the group winner, while Senegal and Iraq prepare for their final match after elimination.
