Norway vs Senegal: Winners & losers - Haaland makes World Cup history

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·23 giugno 2026

Norway vs Senegal: Winners & losers - Haaland makes World Cup history

Norway secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Senegal at MetLife Stadium as Erling Haaland scored twice to become his nation's all-time leading World Cup scorer. Ismaïla Sarr's late brace gave the Teranga Lions hope, but they could not find an equaliser despite a clear headed chance in stoppage time. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Norway v Senegal.

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Winners

Erling Haaland (Norway)

Erling Haaland delivered a match-winning brace that secured Norway's progression towards the knockout stages and established him as his nation's all-time leading World Cup scorer. The striker's two clinical finishes at 48' and 58' put Norway in a commanding position that Senegal could not overcome despite their late fightback.

His first goal came three minutes into the second half, receiving Martin Ødegaard's pass on a rapid counter-attack and firing a powerful left-footed shot high into the net past Edouard Mendy. Ten minutes later, he met Patrick Berg's cross with a right-footed strike that crashed off the crossbar and bounced in to restore Norway's two-goal advantage.

Beyond the goals, Haaland created chaos in first-half stoppage time, dispossessing Mendy near the goal line and hitting the post before having a close-range header saved brilliantly by the goalkeeper. His relentless presence and finishing quality proved the decisive difference in a five-goal encounter where margins proved crucial.

Marcus Pedersen (Norway)

Marcus Pedersen transformed an unfortunate circumstance into a match-defining contribution after entering at 13' following Julian Ryerson's thigh injury. The replacement right-back scored the crucial opening goal at 43', a moment that shifted the contest firmly in Norway's favour heading into the interval.

The chance arose when Kalidou Koulibaly's attempted clearance fell to Pedersen inside the box on the right side. He controlled with his left foot and finished with his right, sliding the ball beneath Edouard Mendy to give Norway a lead they would not relinquish despite Senegal's late rally.

His goal proved pivotal in the final outcome, providing Norway breathing room before Haaland's second-half strikes extended their advantage. Pedersen showed no signs of being unprepared despite his sudden introduction, providing width on the right flank and delivering crosses into dangerous areas throughout his appearance.

Loser

Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)

Kalidou Koulibaly endured a difficult evening as captain, his lack of match fitness exposed in a contest where Senegal desperately needed defensive solidity. Having played only eight minutes in a friendly before the World Cup after being out since April with injury, the centre-back struggled throughout against Norway's aerial threat.

His costly error directly led to Norway's opening goal. Attempting to clear inside the box, Koulibaly's clearance deflected directly into the path of Marcus Pedersen, who finished clinically to put Norway ahead. He also lost aerial duels against Erling Haaland, unable to match the striker physically when crosses arrived into the danger zone.

His performance compromised Senegal's defensive structure at critical moments, and he was substituted for Pape Matar Sarr at 72' as Pape Thiaw sought to stabilise his backline. In a match decided by fine margins, Koulibaly's struggles contributed significantly to Senegal's defeat and their increasingly precarious group position.