EAST RUTHERFORD — Norway booked its place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after surviving a late push to defeat Senegal 3-2 in a dramatic Group I clash Monday night at New York New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium.
With the victory, Norway improved to six points from two matches and secured advancement to the Round of 32, marking the nation’s first trip to the World Cup knockout rounds since 1998.
After a tightly contested opening stretch, Norway struck first just before halftime when substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen capitalized on a costly defensive mistake by Senegal. A failed clearance inside the penalty area allowed Pedersen to pounce and fire home in the 43rd minute, giving Norway a 1-0 lead entering the break.
Norway wasted little time doubling its advantage after halftime as captain Martin Ødegaard threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to Erling Haaland, who calmly finished past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the 48th minute.
Senegal responded quickly and cut the deficit five minutes later when Ismaïla Sarr found space inside the box and finished in the 53rd minute, bringing the African side back into the match.
Norway restored its two-goal cushion shortly after when Haaland struck again in the 58th minute. Midfielder Patrick Berg delivered the assist, finding Haaland in space before the striker buried his second goal of the night to push Norway ahead 3-1 and bring his tournament tally to four goals in two matches.
Senegal continued pressing forward throughout the second half and created several dangerous chances as it searched for a way back.
The pressure finally paid off deep into stoppage time when Sarr struck again in the 90+3 minute to make it 3-2, setting up a tense finish in the closing moments.
Despite Senegal’s late surge, Norway held on for all three points and joined France atop Group I with both nations already securing passage into the knockout stage.
Norway will face France on Friday to determine who finishes top of Group I, while Senegal takes on Iraq needing a result to keep alive its hopes of advancing as one of the tournament’s best third-place finishers.
