Haaland raced onto Martin Ødegaard’s incisive through ball to double Norway’s advantage in the 48th minute.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Norway have qualified for the Round of 32 of this year’s World Cup after edging Senegal 3-2 in their second Group I game, played at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Erling Haaland scored twice as the European nation booked their place in the knockout stage of the tournament.
Substitute Marcus Pedersen opened the scoring for Norway late in the first half, capitalising on a poor clearance from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly.
Haaland then raced on to Martin Ødegaard’s incisive through ball to double the advantage in the 48th minute.
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With the goal, the Manchester City striker became his country’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup.
Ismaïla Sarr reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute, converting an assist from Sadio Mané to give the West African nation a fighting chance.
But Haaland restored his team’s two-goal cushion five minutes later with a calmly taken, side-footed volley which went in off the crossbar.
Sarr set up a nervy finale after striking again in injury time, and he could have equalised in the final seconds but sent his header over the bar.
Ståle Solbakken’s men held on for a second straight win to qualify from their group alongside France. Senegal, meanwhile, must now beat Iraq in their final group game to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages.
