Golden boot status: Erling Haaland sunk Senegal – Norway ready for last eight in the World Cup
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway secured a place in the last eight of the World Cup with a victory over Senegal in New Jersey.
After only two games in the championship, the Manchester City striker has already scored twice as many goals (four) as any other Norwegian player has ever managed in a World Cup context.
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Full-back Marcus Pederson, who came on as an early substitute, took advantage of a poor clearance from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly to send Norway into a 1-0 lead just before half-time – before Haaland took over in the second half.
He sped up Martin Ødegaard’s precise through pass and doubled the lead in the 48th minute – and at the same time became Norway’s all-time highest-scoring player in a World Cup context. Ismaila Sarr scored shortly afterwards and gave Senegal new hope.
But Haaland restored the two-goal lead five minutes later with a clinical half-volley with the weakest foot that went off the crossbar and in.
Haaland has now scored in twelve international matches in a row for Norway – and has recorded at least two goals in each of the last six.
Sarr struck again in injury time and created a nerve-wracking finish. The Crystal Palace winger could have equalised in the final seconds of the game, but headed over.
Nevertheless, Ståle Solbakken’s Norway were by far the better team, even in a somewhat messy first half, and held off for their second straight win – meaning they are qualified from Group I alongside France.
Senegal will need to beat Iraq in their final group game to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages.
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Erling Haaland has scored in twelve straight competitive games for Norway
With four goals in two games, Haaland is clearly enjoying his first World Cup.
Instead of being weighed down by the pressure as the attack leader of the nation, he flourishes.
His performances for Manchester City in recent years have already made him a superstar, but the World Cup is still the biggest stage of them all – and Haaland is doing everything he can to make his mark.
The 25-year-old was quiet for much of the first half, but showed class with a beautiful first-touch pass that set up Ødegaard – who should have scored.
Haaland then got the chance to show the captain how it’s done in front of goal when he captured the ball from Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy – but the striker hit the post from an impossible angle.
It was quickly forgotten when he hammered in his first goal early in the second half – the inevitable end of a quick Norwegian counterattack.
Normalcy had been restored, and another clinical finish – on a half-volley with the weakest foot – seemed to put the game out of reach and ultimately proved decisive.
Towards the end, the only surprising thing was that Haaland had not completed his first World Cup hat-trick. But with at least two games left, there is still plenty of time for that.
What now for the teams?
Norway will face France in their last group match on Friday (21:00 Norwegian time). Both teams are already qualified, but both would like to win the group.
Senegal face Iraq at the same time and need a win to have any chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
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Broadly speaking:
Marcus Pederson sends Norway into the lead after Kalidou Koulibaly’s mistake
Erling Haaland doubles the lead three minutes into the second half
Ismaila Sarr answers for Senegal, but Haaland restores the two-goal victory
Sarr scores late to make the score 3-2, but Senegal fails to equalise
Norway advances to the round of eight; Senegal have yet to win a point
