* In the other Group I clash, Kylian Mbappe double sends France into last 32 after weather-hit win in Philadelphia
* it was no surprise to see the Man City striker respond with his 58th and 59th goals for Norway in just his 52nd international game
* While the France captain Mbappe struck either side of half-time to take his tally to four goals in the competition
Maravi Express
Erling Haaland’s second-half double saw Norway beat Senegal 3-2 at a rain-swept MetLife Stadium as coach Stale Solbakken’s side joined France in qualifying for the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup™ 2026.
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After both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe had earlier scored twice for Argentina and France respectively, it was no surprise to see the Manchester City striker Haaland respond with his 58th and 59th goals for Norway in just his 52nd international game, while the in-form marksman has now registered in his last 12 competitive appearances for his country.
For Haaland, the 25-year-old was disappointed he did not net a hat-trick in a game that some thought might not take place at all after fans were briefly cleared from the stadium amid heavy rain around four hours before kick-off as a flood watch was issued by the US National Weather Service in the area and nearby New York.
However, the predicted torrential rain during the match stayed away, allowing Norway to record their second victory of the tournament, more than they had managed in all their previous World Cups as they now face France on Friday to determine who wins Group I.
For Senegal, Ismaila Sarr also netted a brace for against Norway and the Lion’s of Teranga must now thrash Iraq in final Group I clash on Friday to have chance of making to the knockouts having lost opening game to France.
Senegal had difficult spells in the first half but were not without control. The Lions of Teranga were competitive in midfield and had moments when they looked capable of unsettling Norway.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy also kept them in the contest with important saves, including efforts from Kristoffer Ajer and Martin Odegaard as Norway started brightly and forced a sequence of corners, but Senegal survived the early pressure and grew into the match.
However, just when it looked as though the sides would go into half-time level, Senegal were punished. In the 43rd minute, a poor intervention from Kalidou Koulibaly allowed substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen to take advantage and finish past Mendy.
It was a damaging goal for Senegal, who had competed well but were undone by a lapse from one of their most experienced players.
Norway doubled their lead three minutes after the restart. Odegaard slipped a precise pass through the Senegal defence and Haaland, even while losing his balance, guided his finish into the net.
It was another reminder of the Manchester City striker’s efficiency at international level — but Senegal responded in the 53rd minute when Sarr held off defenders and finished from the centre of the box to reduce the deficit.
For a brief period, the African champions had momentum and belief but Norway reacted quickly five minutes later when Patrick Berg found Haaland in front of goal after Norway forced a turnover. The striker adjusted to a hip-high cross and diverted the ball home from close range to restore the two-goal lead.
Senegal’s night became even more difficult shortly after Norway’s third goal when Mendy had to leave the pitch through injury. Mory Diaw replaced him, adding another setback to an already tense evening for Thiaw’s side.
Still, Senegal refused to surrender: They pushed forward in the closing stages, with Sarr leading their fightback and giving African supporters hope of a late escape.
In the third minute of second-half stoppage time, Sarr struck again to make it 3-2 and set up a nervous finish for Norway.
The Lions of Teranga pressed until the final whistle, but they could not find the equaliser that would have transformed their position in the group.
In Philadelphia, coach Didier Deschamps’ France arrived knowing victory would secure qualification after their opening win over Senegal and they delivered with the minimum of fuss, overcoming both stubborn opponents and Mother Nature to continue their flawless start to the tournament.
Mbappe was the headline act once again as the France captain struck either side of half-time to take his tally to four goals in the competition, underlining why he remains the most feared forward in world football.
There was also a moment of personal redemption for Ousmane Dembele. The winger finally ended his long wait for a goal at a major international tournament, finding the net for the first time in his 20th appearance across World Cups and European Championships.
France’s quality was evident from the outset. Their movement between the lines continually stretched Iraq and it was Mbappe who made the breakthrough midway through the first half when belting one home from 22 yards.
The match then took an unprecedented turn at the interval. With severe storms moving through the Philadelphia area, officials ordered players and supporters to remain under cover, resulting in the first weather-related delay of the World Cup. What should have been a routine 15-minute break stretched into a two-hour stoppage as lightning concerns forced organisers to postpone the restart.
Mbappe could be seen directing the ground staff clearing the pitch, later saying of pictures that went viral: “The side of the pitch where we were attacking was completely waterlogged. They spent 20 minutes cleaning the side where we defend, but they didn’t spend any time cleaning the side where we attack.
“So, that’s a bit of a disadvantage. I would have preferred they spend equal time cleaning both halves of the pitch. Or, if they had to choose, clean the side where we are attacking, you know?
“I think having to wait for two hours, and then you arrive and see that they didn’t actually protect the pitch — normally they should cover it — so it’s a small frustration, but it passes.”
When play eventually resumed, France quickly extinguished any lingering Iraqi hopes as Mbappe took advantage of some baffling decisions to play out from the back from Iraq. The French superstar is now just two goals behind Lionel Messi in the all-time World Cup goalscorer race with 16.
Michael Olise created the third, turning and powering away from his defenders, before slotting Dembele through. France play Norway in their final game on Friday and are in a great spot to top the table with six points in the bag.—Reporting by SkySports News & CAFonline; editing by Maravi Express
Group stage results
Group A
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
South Korea 2-1 Czechia
Czech Republic 1-2 South Africa
Mexico 1-0 South Korea
Group B
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Canada 6-0 Qatar
Group C
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Haiti 0-1 Scotland
Scotland 0-1 Morocco
Brazil 3-0 Haiti
Group D
USA 4-1 Paraguay
Australia 2-0 Turkiye
USA 2-1 Australia
Turkiye 0-1 Paraguay
Group E
Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Ecuador
Germany 7-1 Curaçao
Germany 2-1 Côte d’Ivoire
Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao
Group F
Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
Tunisia 0-4 Japan
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
Group G
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Iran 2-2 New Zealand
Beligium 0-0
New Zealand 1-3
Group H
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Group I
France 3-1 Senegal
Iraq 1-4 Norway
Norway 3-2 Senegal
France 3-0 Iraq
Group J
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Austria 3-1 Jordan
Argentina 2-0 Austria
Jordan 1-2 Tunisia
Group K
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia
Group L
England 4-2 Croatia
Ghana 1-0 Panama
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