Erling Haaland’s second consecutive two-goal match led Norway into the last 32 of the World Cup with a 3-2 victory against Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on Monday.
Norway and France each have six points from two matches heading into their Group I finale on Friday in Boston. France lead on goal difference, meaning they need just a draw to take first place in the group.
Read more Senegal are on the verge of elimination entering their match against Iraq on Friday in Toronto.
After goals by substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen in the 43rd minute and Haaland in the 48th, Senegal’s Ismaïla Sarr pulled one back in the 53rd before Haaland made it a two-goal lead again in the 58th. Sarr caused a nervy finish by scoring in the third minute of second-half stoppage time to make it 3-2.
Haaland, who scored twice in his World Cup debut against Iraq , made it 2-0 when Martin Ødegaard slipped a pass through two defenders and Haaland took a shot despite slipping.
View image in fullscreen Erling Haaland and his Norway teammates join their fans in their trademark rowing celebration post-match. Photograph: Patrick Smith/Fifa/Getty Images Sarr held off two defenders to score from the centre of the box to make it 2-1, but Norway responded with pressure that created a turnover and Patrick Berg spotted Haaland in front of the goal.
Haaland took the hip-high cross and expertly diverted home his effort. He has 24 goals in a 12-match goal streak for Norway in competitive matches and 59 goals in 52 career international matches overall.
Shortly after that, Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy left with an injury. Mory Diaw replaced him.
The Norwegians started with a bang but could not crack the scoresheet despite a sequence of four consecutive corner kicks.
Still, it took a spectacular reaction save by Mendy to keep Norway at bay in the fourth minute. Julian Ryerson’s inswinger from the left corner went to unmarked Kristoffer Ajer in the six-yard box. Ajer headed the ball down, and Mendy trapped it between his legs on the line and as he was falling somehow flicked the ball out of harm’s way.
Pedersen entered in the 12th minute for an injured Ryerson, and a blunder by Kalidou Koulibaly led to his goal. Koulibaly’s clearance of an Ødegaard pass went directly to Pedersen, who unleashed a shot that went off Mendy’s left arm.
Barney Ronay’s full report will follow shortly.
Sources: The Guardian
