Haaland brace seals Norway's 3-2 win over Senegal, secures World Cup last-16 spot
Haaland scored twice as Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 in their Group I match at New York/New Jersey Stadium on June 22, 2026. Marcus Holmgren Pedersen opened the scoring early in the first half before Haaland added two goals after the break, securing Norway’s place in the last 32 with a game to spare. Ismaila Sarr pulled one back for Senegal and later added a second, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit. The win takes Norway’s international goal tally for Haaland to four in two tournament games and lifts his overall national team total to 59 goals in 52 appearances. Lionel Messi also scored a brace earlier the same day, bringing his World Cup total to 18, while Kylian Mbappe netted twice as France beat Iraq 3-0. Norway, unbeaten in their last 18 matches, will face France in Boston on Friday, June 28. Senegal must defeat Iraq in their final group match to keep any hope of advancing. The result leaves Senegal’s hopes hanging by a thread and reduces the number of African teams still alive in the knockout race, which matters for continental pride and future qualification hopes. With Senegal’s exit, which African team do you think will carry continental hopes into the knockout stage, and why?