June 23, (THEWILL) — Norway secured their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Senegal in Group I, thanks to another clinical display from Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City striker scored twice to lead Norway to their second consecutive win of the tournament, maintaining their perfect start after opening with a 4-1 victory over Iraq.
The entertaining contest saw Senegal push Norway all the way, but Haaland’s finishing proved decisive as the Scandinavian side held on for all three points.
The victory confirms Norway as Group I leaders heading into their final group-stage match and underlines their growing credentials as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
Haaland’s latest brace also moved him level with France star Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, adding another chapter to what is becoming one of the World Cup’s most intriguing individual battles.
For Senegal, the defeat leaves their qualification hopes hanging in the balance, with their final group match now crucial to their chances of reaching the Round of 32.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
