Norway staved off a late fightback from Senegal to book their place in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup in New Jersey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Erling Haaland took his personal tally at the tournament to four goals, firing in his second brace in a row as Norway edged out Senegal 3-2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norwegian substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen struck late in the first half before Haaland doubled the lead shortly after the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ismaila Sarr cut the deficit for Senegal, only for Haaland to punish more slack defending as Norway moved through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare despite a late consolation from Sarr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Led by the unstoppable Haaland, who increased his astonishing international goals tally to 59 in 52 games, Norway recorded back-to-back wins at the World Cup for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They added weight to the belief they can do serious damage at these finals with a dominant display against a Senegal side that paid heavily for their errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norway quickly set the tone as Kristoffer Ajer’s header forced Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy into a terrific save with his legs at a corner, but they lost full-back Julian Ryerson to injury early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Captain Martin Odegaard skied over an inviting cut-back from the right for Norway, as Nicolas Jackson looked Senegal’s most dangerous threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mendy again came to Senegal’s rescue with a superb block to deny Odegaard after Haaland cushioned down Antonio Nusa’s chipped cross into the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Mendy allowed Pedersen’s low drive to creep under him after a dreadful mistake from skipper Kalidou Koulibaly gave the ball to the replacement right-back on the edge of the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haaland rolled against the post from a tight angle after Mendy got in a tangle, but he made amends three minutes into the second half as Norway sliced Senegal apart on the counter-attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Odegaard surged upfield and slid a pass through to Haaland, who buried an emphatic finish past Mendy to add to the two goals he scored in Norway’s opening 4-1 victory over Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senegal clawed their way back as Sarr showed great composure to poke home after tumbling to the ground following a clever flick into the area by Sadio Mane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Koulibaly was at fault once more, failing to clear as Haaland steered a volley in off the crossbar from Patrick Berg’s cross, delighting Norwegian fans who provided a colourful backdrop with their viral rowing chant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mory Diaw came on for the injured Mendy in goal, but only a headed goalline clearance from Pathe Ciss prevented Oscar Bobb from netting Norway’s fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sarr’s second of the night set up a tense finish, but Norway held on to join France in the next round and leave Senegal’s hopes hanging by a thread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manchester City forward Haaland now has four goals in two games at the tournament, hot on the heels of Lionel Messi’s double earlier in the day which carried him to a record 18 World Cup goals. Not to be outdone, Kylian Mbappe scored another brace too as France beat Iraq 3-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norway have lost only once in their last 18 matches and will take on France in a compelling battle for top spot in the group in Boston on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senegal must beat Iraq, who are also without a point, in their final game to stand a chance of avoiding an early exit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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