2026 FIFA World Cup — Group I, Matchday 2 | June 22 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Erling Haaland scored twice for the second consecutive match as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 in a breathless Group I contest to qualify for the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1998.

The substitute Marcus Pedersen opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, capitalizing on a catastrophic clearance from Kalidou Koulibaly. Haaland then took over — finishing a Martin Odegaard through-ball in the 48th minute, then pouncing on another Koulibaly error to make it 3-1 in the 58th.

Ismaila Sarr scored twice for Senegal — in the 53rd and 93rd minutes — but the African side could not find an equalizer despite a frantic finish.

Haaland: Four Goals, Two Games

Haaland’s numbers at this World Cup are staggering. Two matches. Four goals. Two braces. He has now scored 59 goals in 52 appearances for Norway.

Against Senegal, he was ruthless. His first goal was a classic striker’s finish — a perfectly timed run onto Odegaard’s pass, a composed finish into the far corner. His second was a poacher’s goal — alert to Koulibaly’s error, quick to react, clinical in execution.

The 25-year-old is now tied with Kylian Mbappe at the top of the Golden Boot race. And the two will face each other in the final group match — Norway vs France, Haaland vs Mbappe. It is the matchup the world has been waiting for.

Koulibaly’s Nightmare

Kalidou Koulibaly has been one of the world’s best defenders for a decade. But this was a night he will want to forget. Two errors. Two goals conceded. The first, a mis-hit clearance that fell straight to Pedersen. The second, a panicked clearance under pressure that Haaland punished.

Senegal fought hard. Sadio Mane was creative throughout. Sarr was clinical. But the damage was done.

Group I Standings

Pos Team P 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 1 7 -6 0

Match Details:

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