Erling Haaland scored two goals in ​Norway’s 3-2 win over Senegal on Monday (June 22, 2026), booking a place ⁠for his team in the knockout round in their first World Cup appearance for 28 years.

On a damp evening in New Jersey, Senegal — widely seen as Africa’s best hope ‌at the World Cup — began strongly but their defence ultimately failed to contain Norway’s attack, and particularly the 25-year-old Haaland, who ‌now has four goals in two matches at this World Cup. The ‌match ⁠tempo had a similar feel to Senegal’s first game, against ⁠France, with the African team competing strongly in the first half-hour frustrating their opponents and keeping Haaland off the ball.

As halftime approached, however, Senegal’s defence broke down. Norway’s first goal was ​from Marcus Pedersen, who came on ‌as a substitute for the injured Julian Ryerson. Senegal captain, 35-year-old Kalidou Koulibaly, misjudged a clearance and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was unable to stop Pedersen’s shot.

Haaland double

The second half had hardly begun and Norway got a ‌second, a classic assist from Martin Odegaard, who had fluffed an earlier ​opportunity of his own, allowed Haaland to rifle a shot into the top corner. Ten minutes later, Haaland struck again, volleying ⁠home off the crossbar.

Despite a litany of defensive errors, Senegal sometimes looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with Ismaila Sarr getting two goals back, including one in ‌stoppage time, but it was not enough.

After France beat Iraq 3-0, Group I is the first to have two teams secure their place in the final 32. The best Senegal can hope for is to squeeze through as one of the best third-placed teams. Norway and France will battle it out to decide who tops the group on Friday.

The jubilant Norwegians ended ‌the game by taking part in a “Viking row” on the pitch, facing their fans. The ​stadium was dominated by the red jerseys of Norway, who have been entertaining New Yorkers in recent days with their mass ⁠rowing. Visa restrictions have prevented most Senegalese from entering the U.S., and there were ⁠far fewer of their fans in the stands.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms during the afternoon had led to shelter-in-place warnings and made travel ‌difficult, and led the other Group I match in Philadelphia to be temporarily suspended. Most fans who braved the weather donned ponchos in the ​outdoor stadium, although the rain eased off as play commenced.