Erling Haaland has scored 24 targets in his final 12 aggressive appearances for Norway. PHOTO: AFP
MIAMI:
Erling Haaland scored his second World Cup brace in a row as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday to punch their ticket to the final 32.
Norway substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen struck late within the first half in New Jersey earlier than Haaland doubled the lead shortly after the break.
Ismaila Sarr reduce the deficit for Senegal, just for Haaland to punish extra slack defending as Norway moved by means of to the knockout rounds with a recreation to spare regardless of a late comfort from Sarr.
Manchester Metropolis ahead Haaland now has 4 targets in two video games on the match, sizzling on the heels of Lionel Messi’s double earlier within the day which carried him to a report 18 World Cup targets. To not be outdone, Kylian Mbappe scored one other brace too as France beat Iraq 3-0.
Norway have misplaced solely as soon as of their final 18 matches and can tackle France in a compelling battle for high spot within the group in Boston on Friday.
Senegal should beat Iraq, who’re additionally and not using a level, of their ultimate recreation to face an opportunity of avoiding an early exit.
Led by the unstoppable Haaland, who elevated his astonishing worldwide targets tally to 59 in 52 video games, Norway recorded back-to-back wins on the World Cup for the primary time.
They added weight to the assumption they will do critical harm at these finals with a dominant show towards a Senegal facet that paid closely for his or her errors.
Norway shortly set the tone as Kristoffer Ajer’s header compelled Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy right into a terrific save together with his legs at a nook, however they misplaced full-back Julian Ryerson to damage early on.
Captain Martin Odegaard skied over an inviting cut-back from the correct for Norway, as Nicolas Jackson regarded Senegal’s most harmful risk.
Mendy once more got here to Senegal’s rescue with an outstanding block to disclaim Odegaard after Haaland cushioned down Antonio Nusa’s chipped cross into the field.
However Mendy allowed Pedersen’s low drive to creep underneath him after a dreadful mistake from skipper Kalidou Koulibaly gave the ball to the alternative right-back on the sting of the field.
Haaland rolled towards the publish from a decent angle after Mendy obtained in a tangle, however he made amends three minutes into the second half as Norway sliced Senegal aside on the counter-attack.
Odegaard surged upfield and slid a go by means of to Haaland, who buried an emphatic end previous Mendy so as to add to the 2 targets he scored in Norway’s opening 4-1 victory over Iraq.
Senegal clawed their manner again as Sarr confirmed nice composure to poke dwelling after tumbling to the bottom following a intelligent flick into the realm by Sadio Mane.
Nonetheless, Koulibaly was at fault as soon as extra, failing to clear as Haaland steered a volley in off the crossbar from Patrick Berg’s cross, delighting Norwegian followers who supplied a colourfulbackdrop with their viral rowing chant.
Mory Diaw got here on for the injured Mendy in aim, however solely a headed goalline clearance from Pathe Ciss prevented Oscar Bobb from netting Norway’s fourth.
Sarr’s second of the night time arrange a tense end, however Norway held on to affix France within the subsequent spherical and go away Senegal’s hopes hanging by a thread.