Norway have secured qualification for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Senegal, with striker Erling Haaland once again delivering a decisive performance.

The Manchester City forward scored twice to guide his team through a tense Group I encounter, taking his tournament tally to four goals and strengthening his reputation as one of the competition’s standout players. The result ensures Norway advance to the last 32, marking a significant milestone for a team appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Norway took control of the match early, with captain Martin Ødegaard playing a key role in orchestrating attacks from midfield. Ødegaard provided the assist for Haaland’s first goal shortly after the restart, helping Norway seize momentum in a closely contested game.

Haaland later added his second goal with a composed finish to extend Norway’s lead to 3–1. Despite missing several additional chances that could have put the game beyond doubt, his clinical finishing proved enough to secure victory. Senegal managed to pull one back late in the match, but Norway held firm under pressure to see out the result.

After the match, Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken praised his star striker’s impact, highlighting both his scoring ability and importance to the team’s overall campaign.

“Today he did miss an open goal, and he could even have scored four,” Solbakken said, speaking with a mix of admiration and humour.

“No, I mean, he is the best striker — he is not playing for France or Argentina, he scores for Norway. He’s scored four goals now, two braces on the biggest stage.”

Solbakken also suggested that the team would continue to support Haaland’s push for the tournament’s Golden Boot, noting that his goals remain crucial to Norway’s progress in the competition.

The victory places Norway second in Group I, level on points with France but behind on goal difference ahead of their final group match. That upcoming fixture is expected to determine final group positioning and potential knockout-stage pairings.

For Norway, the win represents a breakthrough moment in their World Cup campaign, confirming their status as one of the tournament’s emerging forces while underlining Haaland’s growing influence on football’s biggest stage.

With momentum on their side, Norway now turn their attention to the decisive group clash, knowing their path deeper into the tournament will depend on sustaining the attacking form that has carried them this far.