Norway booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 after defeating Senegal 3-2 in an entertaining Group I clash at MetLife Stadium.
Ståle Solbakken’s side followed up their impressive win over Iraq with another three points, ensuring progression to the knockout stage for the first time in their modern World Cup history. Goals from Marcus Holmgren Pedersen and a second-half brace from Erling Haaland proved decisive despite a late Senegal fightback.
Haaland entered the match on the back of Norway’s 4-1 victory over Iraq and continued his outstanding World Cup campaign. The Manchester City striker now has four goals in the tournament after scoring twice against Senegal, placing him level with Kylian Mbappé and only one goal behind Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
His influence once again proved decisive as Norway secured consecutive World Cup victories and confirmed their progress to the knockout rounds.
Knowing victory would guarantee qualification, Norway started aggressively and won four corners inside the opening four minutes.
One of those set-pieces nearly produced an early breakthrough. Kristoffer Ajer rose highest in the penalty area, but Edouard Mendy produced an outstanding save to keep the score level.
Norway then suffered an early setback when Julian Ryerson was forced off injured after just 13 minutes. However, replacement Pedersen almost made an immediate impact when he created a chance for Martin Ødegaard, who fired over the crossbar.
Senegal gradually settled into the contest after the cooling break. Sadio Mané linked well with Nicolas Jackson, but the Chelsea forward could not keep his effort on target.
Just as the match appeared destined to reach half-time goalless, Senegal gifted Norway the lead.
Kalidou Koulibaly misplaced a pass near his own penalty area, allowing Pedersen to seize possession. The substitute made no mistake, firing beyond Mendy in the 43rd minute to score his first international goal.
Haaland nearly doubled the advantage before the break after dispossessing Mendy, but his effort struck the post from a tight angle.
Norway started the second half with purpose and extended their lead just three minutes after the restart.
Ødegaard led a swift counterattack and threaded a perfectly weighted pass into Haaland’s path. The striker calmly finished into the top corner in the 48th minute to make it 2-0.
Senegal responded quickly. In the 53rd minute, Mané flicked the ball into the path of Ismaïla Sarr, who powered his finish into the roof of the net.
Patrick Berg delivered a dangerous cross into the area in the 58th minute, and Haaland arrived to convert from close range, restoring Norway’s two-goal cushion and scoring his second goal of the night.
Norway managed the game well during the closing stages as Senegal searched for a route back into the contest.
The Lions of Teranga created pressure late on and reduced the deficit deep into stoppage time when Sarr collected a pass from Nicolas Jackson before finishing confidently in the 90+3rd minute.
Sarr nearly completed a dramatic hat-trick moments later but failed to direct a late header on target.
The victory guarantees Norway a place in the Round of 32 and sets up a decisive final group-stage meeting with France to determine the Group I winner.
Senegal remain without a point after two matches. However, victory over Iraq in their final group game could still keep their qualification hopes alive through the best third-placed route.
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