Messi double. Mbappé double. And now, Haaland’s double. The World Cup added another illustrious name to the list of protagonists when Norway and Senegal met for the first time in an official match, in a World Cup no less. An unprecedented duel, with the aroma of an early final of Group I, where ‘Los Leones de Teranga’ were forced to add in order not to complicate the path to the round of 32 after the defeat against France. For their part, ‘Los Vikingos’ were looking for their second victory after 28 years of absence and to continue their good start. And they got it. Guided by a decisive Haaland, Norway once again showed that it is willing to be one of the revelations of the championship. The City striker scored a double and raised his impressive tally with the Nordic team to 59 goals in 52 games.
The start started strong. Senegal suffered with four corner kicks in just three minutes against the push of a team that imposed its aerial superiority in every action, being the highest team in the tournament. Ajer had the first clear shot after a great cross from Ryerson’s corner, forcing Mendy to take a providential action with his legs in an intervention with feline reflexes. The Senegalese response came through Ismaila Sarr, although Nyland resolved without problems, in a section in which the Africans managed to steal easily and have greater calm in traffic.
The match, however, lost pace after the first quarter of an hour, in which Ryerson had to be substituted due to physical discomfort. The two teams wanted to be owners of the ball, but the Norwegians could not connect with Haaland and the Senegalese were imprecise in the last few meters, with an unrecognizable Mané failing in controls. Odegaard came close to scoring on a great occasion after a great drop shot by the City striker, but Mendy appeared again with a decisive save. Already on the edge of half-time, a serious error by Koulibaly, handing the ball to Pedersen, allowed Ryerson’s newcomer to open the scoring. The European team closed the first half better and was even able to extend the lead with a shot against Haaland’s post after an incomprehensible mistake by Mendy and a subsequent header that again demanded the Senegalese goalkeeper.
A storm called ‘Haaland’
Just after half-time, Norway struck again with a lethal counterattack. Haaland did not forgive after a great pass from Odegaard, finishing perfectly to leave ‘Los Leones de Teranga’ on the ropes. However, Senegal reacted quickly, and in just five minutes, a great combinative play ended with Mané assisting Ismaila Sarr, who closed the gap and returned the emotion to the match.
The African joy was short-lived. In a new Norwegian arrival, Haaland reappeared after a pass from Berg to score his second goal of the night and extend the lead. The action also left Mendy very affected, who could not continue and had to be substituted, adding another setback for Senegal at a key moment in the match.
Technical sheet of the match.
The game slowed down until the 80th minute, but from then on the madness broke out again. Sarr tried with a bicycle kick that Nyland caught without too many problems. Schjelderup and Bobb came in wanting to vindicate themselves, and the Fulham player had a very clear chance that Pathé Ciss saved under the line when the goal already seemed inevitable. Already in injury time, Sarr scored again to score his double and put the finishing touch to a frenetic match.
A result that keeps Norway’s dream alive, already classified for the round of 32 and with the possibility of securing first place in the group in the duel against Mbappé’s France. Senegal, for its part, will be forced to beat Iraq and hope to sneak into the eight best third-placed teams.
