Norway 3-2 Senegal: Haaland Brace Sends Norway to World Cup Knockouts for First Time Since 1998

Norway secured their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage for the first time since 1998, beating Senegal 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey . Erling Haaland scored his second consecutive brace of the tournament to lead his side into the Round of 32.

Final Score & Goal Scorers

Norway 3 – 2 Senegal

Minute	Scorer	Team
43'	Marcus Holmgren Pedersen	Norway
48'	Erling Haaland	Norway
53'	Ismaïla Sarr	Senegal
58'	Erling Haaland	Norway
90'+3	Ismaïla Sarr	Senegal

Sources: ESPN, Sky Sports, The Guardian

Key Match Events

• 43' — Pedersen opener: Norway broke the deadlock just before half-time when Marcus Holmgren Pedersen scored from inside the box after defensive errors by Senegal .
• 48' — Haaland makes it 2-0: Seconds after the restart, Haaland struck to double Norway's lead, finishing a swift counterattack .
• 53' — Sarr pulls one back: Ismaïla Sarr scored to bring Senegal back into the match .
• 58' — Haaland's second: Haaland restored Norway's two-goal cushion with a stunning finish, making it 3-1 .
• 90'+3 — Sarr's late consolation: Sarr scored deep in stoppage time to make it 3-2, but Norway held on for the win .

The match was played in rainy conditions in New Jersey . Norway's victory secured their qualification to the round of 32 for the first time since the 1998 World Cup in France .

Erling Haaland's Performance & World Cup Goal Record

• Haaland scored a brace (48', 58'), his second consecutive brace of the tournament after also scoring twice against Iraq .
• Tournament tally: Haaland now has 4 goals in two group-stage matches .
• Overall international record: Haaland entered the match with 57 goals in 51 appearances for Norway .
• He also missed an open goal during the match and could have scored a hat-trick, according to his manager .

Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said Haaland is "not human, he is a machine" and noted he "could even have scored four" . Solbakken added that Norway would do everything possible to help Haaland pursue the Golden Boot .

Current Group I Standings

After two matchdays (as of June 23, 2026):

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	France	2	2	0	0	6	1	+5	6
2	Norway	2	2	0	0	7	3	+4	6
3	Senegal	2	0	0	2	3	6	-3	0
4	Iraq	2	0	0	2	2	8	-6	0

Sources: Sky Sports, Sporting News

Norway's two wins (4-1 vs Iraq, 3-2 vs Senegal) have already secured their progression to the knockout stage . France top the group on goal difference (+5 vs +4). The final group matches are on June 26: Norway vs France and Senegal vs Iraq .

Post-Match Reactions

Erling Haaland:

• "Scoring goals is my forte. I'm quite adept at finding the net," Haaland said after the match .
• On the viral "Viking row" celebration: "I saw it online; it's gone completely viral. Martin [Ødegaard] asked me before the game: 'Do you think we should join in?' I said, 'If we win, let's do it, why not?'"
• On Norway's prospects: Haaland told his teammates to "enjoy it while it lasts" and was not ready to call Norway tournament favorites just yet, adding, "We are making history, and I'm extremely proud to be Norwegian" .
• Asked about facing France, Haaland said: "I don't care, we are through. They'll probably beat us and go on and win the whole tournament" .

Manager Ståle Solbakken:

• "He is the best striker — he is not human, he is a machine." Solbakken also noted Haaland missed an open goal and "could even have scored four" .
• On the Viking celebration: It was "fun for the fans" but the team would not be practicing it beyond the tournament .

Viral moment: After the final whistle, Norway players performed a coordinated "Viking row" celebration that even stopped Senegal players in their tracks. Haaland confirmed he and Ødegaard had agreed beforehand to do it if they won .

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal): The Senegal winger, who scored both of his team's goals, said: "It was tough. We're a little disappointed. But it's not over yet, there's still a third game to play" .