The Norwegian national team inflicts Senegal with the bitterness of their second defeat in the World Cup.

The Norwegian national team has become the sixth team to qualify for the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, currently taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, following their thrilling victory over Senegal with a score of 3-2 today, Tuesday, Coordinated Universal Time, in the second round of Group 9 matches.

Marcus Pedersen opened the scoring for Norway in the 43rd minute, before Erling Haaland doubled the lead with a second goal at the start of the second half in the 48th minute, continuing his scoring brilliance for the second consecutive match in the World Cup.

Ismaïla Sarr managed to reduce the deficit for Senegal by scoring the first goal in the 53rd minute, but Haaland returned to confirm his team's superiority by scoring the third goal in the 58th minute.

The Norwegian striker raised his tally to four goals in the current World Cup, having also scored a brace during the 4-1 victory over Iraq in the opening round.

Sarr brought excitement back to the match by scoring Senegal's second goal in the third minute of stoppage time in the second half, but the "Lions of Teranga" failed to equalize in the remaining minutes.

With this victory, the Norwegian team increased their points to 6, placing them second, just behind the leading French team on goal difference, ensuring both teams' qualification for the Round of 32 before their anticipated clash in the third and final round.

On the other hand, the Senegalese team remained in third place with no points, only ahead of the Iraqi team in fourth place on goal difference, before their anticipated match in the final round, where both sides cling to their hopes of finishing in third place and reviving their chances of qualifying among the best eight teams that occupy third place in the 12 groups.