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Manchester City star striker Erling Haaland continued his prolific run at the FIFA World Cup, scoring twice as Norway edged Senegal 3-2 to secure a place in the Round of 32 after a hard-fought Group I encounter at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Marcus Pedersen had given Norway the lead late in the first half before Haaland struck twice after the break. Senegal mounted a spirited fightback through Ismaila Sarr, who scored both goals for his side, but Norway held on to claim a crucial victory. Norway started brightly, earning four corners within the opening four minutes and nearly taking the lead when Kristoffer Ajer's header was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Martin Odegaard also came close, but his effort was denied by Mendy. The breakthrough arrived in the 44th minute when Pedersen, who had replaced the injured Julian Ryerson earlier in the match, capitalised on a loose clearance from Kalidou Koulibaly and fired the ball past Mendy to hand Norway the advantage. Haaland, who had a relatively quiet opening half, almost doubled Norway's lead before the break but struck the post after rounding the goalkeeper. The striker, however, made no mistake three minutes into the second half, finishing off a swift counter-attack after being set up by Odegaard. Senegal responded strongly and reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute when Sadio Mane found Ismaila Sarr, who beat goalkeeper Orjan Nyland after shrugging off his marker. Norway restored their two-goal cushion five minutes later as Haaland reacted quickly to Patrick Berg's low cross and volleyed home off the underside of the crossbar to register his second goal of the evening. Senegal suffered another setback when Mendy was forced off with an injury, though Pathe Ciss produced a vital goal-line clearance to deny Oscar Bobb from extending Norway's lead. Pape Thiaw's men continued to push forward and pulled one back in stoppage time through Sarr's second goal of the match. The forward had one final opportunity to salvage a point for Senegal, but his late header sailed over the bar as Norway held on for a narrow victory and confirmed their place in the knockout stage. (ANI)
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