Erling Haaland continued his outstanding scoring run with a brilliant goal as Norway booked their place in the last 16 with a thrilling 3-2 win over Senegal in Group I on Monday night.Make them first FIFA World Cup competing since 1998, the Vikings secured qualification alongside France after taking six points from two matches. They will now face Les Bleus on Friday in a battle for first place and a potentially easier path to the knockout rounds.Haaland proved unstoppable once again, taking his tournament tally to four goals and moving level with French star Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot, one behind Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
The Haaland brothers keep their incredible scoring streak alive
Marcus Pedersen, who came on in the 13th minute after Julian Ryerson was injured, put Norway ahead just before half-time.Senegalese captain Kalidou Koulibaly delivered Martin Odegaard’s ball straight to Pedersen and the debutant made no mistake, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy unable to hold on.Haaland then took over.The Manchester City striker doubled Norway’s lead three minutes into the second half after running onto Odegaard’s pass and firing a left-footed shot past Mendy to finish off a lightning-quick counter-attack.Although Ismaïla Sarr pulled one back for Senegal in the 53rd minute, Haaland restored Norway’s two-goal lead five minutes later. The 25-year-old weaved his way through the defense before tapping home Patrick Berg’s cross with his weaker right foot from close range.The goal sparked wild celebrations among the sea of ​​red-clad Norway fans, with Haaland raising his hand to his ear as fans behind the goal performed the famous Viking Row.
The records keep falling
Haaland has now scored 24 goals in his last 12 international games and has found the net in each of those games. His overall record stands at an incredible 59 goals in 52 appearances for Norway.He also joined England Harry Kane as the only players in the last 50 years to score a double in each of their first two World Cup appearances.Senegal struck again through Sarr deep into stoppage time, but it proved too late.The Lions of Teranga are now 0-2 at the World Cup for the first time and must beat Iraq in their final group game to keep alive their hopes of advancing as one of the top third-placed teams.
