Haaland scores 2 more, Norway through to next round

EAST RUTHERFORD, Recent Jersey — Erling Haaland and Norway rowed their way into the World Cup’s round of 32.

Haaland scored twice to boost his World Cup goals total to 4, and the Vikings clinched advancement to the knockout rounds with a 3-2 win over Senegal on Monday night that was more of a slog than a sail.

“It’s my specialty to attain goals,” Haaland said. “I’m just really good at scoring goals.”

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After the ultimate whistle, Norway’s players and staff gathered tightly in a 10-row formation just contained in the penalty area at MetLife Stadium’s north end, facing their red-shirted supporters, Haaland sitting in front as teammate Martin Ødegaard banged on a bongo drum. They alternated with the fans performing the Viking Row — chanting “Ro!” while mimicking oarsmen.

“We’ve all seen it online and it’s been going completely viral, so Martin told me before the sport, `What do you think that? Should we take part?’” Haaland recalled.

“`If we win, let’s do it. So why not? Let’s go for it,’” Haaland said he responded. “So it was an ideal moment I believe to try this.”

Back in Norway, parliamentarians did the Viking Row last week in a show of support.

“It was fun,” Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said through an interpreter. “We won’t be rowing after the World Cup but this could be a gimmick through the tournament.”

Marcus Pederson put the Vikings ahead within the forty third minute after replacing an injured teammate, and Haaland kept up his incredible goals streak within the forty eighth and 58th minutes to construct a 3-1 lead.

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“He’s very efficient,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said through an interpreter.

Haaland ran onto Martin Ødegaard’s pass and put a left-footed shot past the outstretched left hand of goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, capping an end-to-end counterattack for a 2-0 lead.

For his second goal, Haaland tunneled through the defense and eight yards out raised his weaker right foot to volley in Patrick Berg’s pass. Haaland raised a hand to an ear to encourage the Norway supporters.

Haaland has 24 goals in his last 12 international games — scoring at the least once in every match — and 59 goals in 52 international appearances. The 25-year-old striker joined England’s Harry Kane in 2018 because the only players within the last 50 years with two-goal games in each of their first two World Cup appearances.

Haaland is second within the Golden Boot race, one behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi and tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé. Haaland nearly got one other in first-half stoppage time, hitting a post after Mendy lost control of the ball.

“He did miss an open goal. He could have scored even 4,” Solbakken said. “He’s the perfect striker — he will not be playing for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway.”

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Ismaïla Sarr got each goals for the Lions of Teranga, within the 53rd minute and within the third minute of second-half stoppage time.

“If we had just played barely worse, then we can be in trouble,” Solbakken said.

Making its first World Cup appearance since 1998, Norway (2-0) is assured of advancing from Group I together with France. The Vikings must beat Les Bleus on Friday for first place and what would look like a neater path within the knockout bracket.

Senegal is 0-2 in a World Cup for the primary time and wishes a win over Iraq (0-2) to have any probability of advancing as a third-place team.

“We’ve got every thing left to play for,” Thaw said.

Pederson entered within the thirteenth minute for his World Cup debut after Julian Ryerson couldn’t play through what Solbakken said was a nagging injury, and Pederson put the Vikings ahead with the assistance of mistakes by Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Mendy.

Ødegaard made a centering pass that Koulibaly cleared straight to Pedersen at the highest of the arc. Pederson took two touches and sent a savable shot contained in the near post that glanced off Mendy’s left hand and into the goal.

Mendy left within the 63rd minute due to an injury.

While there had been storm warnings, a downpour stopped greater than 3 1/2 hours before kickoff. The skies opened again after the ultimate whistle, causing announcements for fans to go away the stadium bowl for sheltered space.

“Let’s be pleased,” Haaland said, “each Norwegian on the planet today.”