Norway 3-2 Senegal at 2026 World Cup: Haaland Brace, Group B Table

EAST RUTHERFORD — Erling Haaland scored twice in the second half to lead Norway to a 3-2 win over Senegal in the Group B opener of the 2026 World Cup at MetLife Stadium on early Tuesday WIB. The result immediately put Norway at the top of the standings, ahead of France on goal difference.

Five goals, stoppage-time drama, and one striker who looked almost impossible to stop. That was the short version of a match played in front of more than 80,000 fans in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

For Norway, this was more than three points. It was a clear signal to the rest of Group B — including France — that this team is not here just to make up the numbers.

Pedersen’s goal set the tone

The first half was one-sided on paper, but not on the scoreboard. Senegal had 58 percent possession and applied pressure through quick movement down the wings. But they created no clean chances.

Norway, meanwhile, were brutally efficient. One shot on target, one goal. Marcus Pedersen finished off a Julyan Ryerson assist in the 43rd minute to send Norway into the break with a 1-0 lead.

That narrow scoreline kept the match alive for the second half.

Haaland took over after the break

Three minutes after the restart, Haaland had already found the net. Martin Ødegaard’s through ball was read perfectly, and Norway made it 2-0. Senegal needed a breath — and they did not have much time.

But Ismaïla Sarr refused to give in. In the 53rd minute, Sadio Mané provided the assist and Sarr cut the deficit to 2-1. The mood inside MetLife Stadium changed. Senegal suddenly had life.

Haaland answered five minutes later. Patrick Berg floated the ball in, and the Manchester City striker finished with ice-cold precision. 3-1. A perfect brace in one half.

Sarr scored again in the 90+3rd minute off a Nicolas Jackson assist — a goal that made the final score look more dramatic than the actual flow of the match. Norway still held on for the 3-2 win.

Senegal had the ball. Norway had the edge.

The numbers tell an interesting story. Senegal produced 16 shots, Norway 13. But in shots on target, Norway were clearly ahead: 7 to 4. Expected goals also backed up Norway’s edge — 2.10 to Senegal’s 1.70.

The referee for the match was Wilton Pereira Sampaio of Brazil.

In modern football, having more of the ball is no guarantee of winning. Senegal proved that the hard way.

Group B standings and the pressure on Matchday 2

Norway now lead Group B with three points and a +3 goal difference, just ahead of France, who also have three points but a +1 goal difference. Iraq and Senegal are both still pointless.

Matchday 2 now brings a heavyweight clash: Norway against France. Two teams that opened with wins, and both have world-class strikers to lean on.

Senegal, meanwhile, have no room for another defeat. Their game against Iraq on Matchday 2 is close to a must-win if they still want to stay in the race for the round of 32.

Haaland left MetLife Stadium that night as the match’s best player — two goals, sharp movement, and an efficiency that left every defender frustrated. At the 2026 World Cup, he has already started speaking in the language he knows best: goals.