Haaland And Ødegaard Lead Norway Into World Cup Round Of 32
Sports Updated: 23 June 2026 09:54 EAT
Photo Courtesy : Norway's Erling Haaland during the post match press conference after he scored a brace to reach World Cup round of 32
Norway national football team secured qualification for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3–2 victory over Senegal in a tightly contested Group I encounter. The result confirmed Norway’s progression to the knockout stage with one group match remaining.
Erling Haaland was the decisive figure, scoring twice in the second half to overturn Senegal’s resistance and tilt the match in Norway’s favour. The striker’s finishing proved crucial in a game where both sides created multiple chances.
Martin Ødegaard played a central role in midfield, dictating tempo and linking play between defence and attack. The Arsenal midfielder provided key contributions in build-up phases, helping Norway break through Senegal’s defensive structure at critical moments.
Senegal matched Norway’s intensity for large stretches of the match and managed to score twice, keeping the contest level and competitive until the closing stages. However, defensive lapses at key moments ultimately proved costly.
Norway had entered the fixture in a strong position after a convincing earlier group-stage win over Iraq, which placed them firmly on course for qualification. The victory over Senegal ensured they could not drop below the top two positions in Group I.
The result places Norway level on points with France at the top of Group I, setting up a decisive final group fixture to determine group leadership heading into the knockout phase. The team’s attacking output has emerged as a defining strength in the tournament.
Haaland’s brace further strengthens his position among the tournament’s leading scorers, underlining his importance to Norway’s ambitions in the expanded World Cup format featuring 48 teams and a Round of 32 stage.
Norway’s qualification marks a significant milestone for the national side, ending a long absence from the advanced stages of the competition and reinforcing their status as one of the standout European performers in the tournament.
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FELIX MAKONA
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