<\/p>\n
Norway\u2019s Erling Haaland (9) celebrates after scoring their third goal through the World Cup Group I football match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near Recent York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo\/Steve Luciano)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
EAST RUTHERFORD, Recent Jersey \u2014 Erling Haaland and Norway rowed their way into the World Cup\u2019s round of 32.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my specialty to attain goals,\u201d Haaland said. \u201cI\u2019m just really good at scoring goals.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the ultimate whistle, Norway\u2019s players and staff gathered tightly in a 10-row formation just contained in the penalty area at MetLife Stadium\u2019s north end, facing their red-shirted supporters, Haaland sitting in front as teammate Martin \u00d8degaard banged on a bongo drum. They alternated with the fans performing the Viking Row \u2014 chanting \u201cRo!\u201d while mimicking oarsmen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve all seen it online and it\u2019s been going completely viral, so Martin told me before the sport, `What do you think that? Should we take part?’\u201d Haaland recalled.<\/p>\n
\u201c`If we win, let\u2019s do it. So why not? Let\u2019s go for it,’\u201d Haaland said he responded. \u201cSo it was an ideal moment I believe to try this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Back in Norway, parliamentarians did the Viking Row last week in a show of support.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was fun,\u201d Norway coach St\u00e5le Solbakken said through an interpreter. \u201cWe won’t be rowing after the World Cup but this could be a gimmick through the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s very efficient,\u201d Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said through an interpreter.<\/p>\n
Haaland ran onto Martin \u00d8degaard\u2019s pass and put a left-footed shot past the outstretched left hand of goalkeeper \u00c9douard Mendy, capping an end-to-end counterattack for a 2-0 lead.<\/p>\n
For his second goal, Haaland tunneled through the defense and eight yards out raised his weaker right foot to volley in Patrick Berg\u2019s pass. Haaland raised a hand to an ear to encourage the Norway supporters.<\/p>\n
Haaland has 24 goals in his last 12 international games \u2014 scoring at the least once in every match \u2014 and 59 goals in 52 international appearances. The 25-year-old striker joined England\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Haaland is second within the Golden Boot race, one behind Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi and tied with France\u2019s Kylian Mbapp\u00e9. Haaland nearly got one other in first-half stoppage time, hitting a post after Mendy lost control of the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did miss an open goal. He could have scored even 4,\u201d Solbakken said. \u201cHe’s the perfect striker \u2014 he will not be playing for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Isma\u00efla Sarr got each goals for the Lions of Teranga, within the 53rd minute and within the third minute of second-half stoppage time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we had just played barely worse, then we can be in trouble,\u201d Solbakken said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got every thing left to play for,\u201d Thaw said.<\/p>\n
Pederson entered within the thirteenth minute for his World Cup debut after Julian Ryerson couldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u00d8degaard 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\u2019s left hand and into the goal.<\/p>\n
Mendy left within the 63rd minute due to an injury.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n