Norway edge five-goal thriller against Senegal to boost World Cup hopes

Norway clawed their way back into World Cup contention with a pulsating 3-2 victory over Senegal in Match Round 2, surviving long spells without the ball but making their attacking moments count in an end‑to‑end contest rich in chances, duels and decisive defensive interventions.

• Norway will play with France. June 26 at 19:00 (GMT), on Gillette Stadium.
• Senegal will play with Iraq. June 26 at 19:00 (GMT), on BMO Field.

Norway

• Ørjan Håskjold Nyland (6.6)
• Julian Ryerson (6.9)
• Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer (6.7)
• Torbjørn Lysaker Heggem (7)
• David Møller Wolfe (6.7)
• Martin Ødegaard (7.2)
• Sander Gard Bolin Berge (6.7)
• Fredrik Aursnes (6.7)
• Alexander Sørloth (6.7)
• Erling Braut Haaland (8.7)
• Antonio Eromonsele Nordby Nusa (6.6)

Senegal

Substitutions:

Norway

• Julian Ryerson (Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, 13)
• Fredrik Aursnes (Patrick Berg, 46)
• Antonio Eromonsele Nordby Nusa (Andreas Rædergård Schjelderup, 71)
• Alexander Sørloth (Oscar Bobb, 84)
• Torbjørn Lysaker Heggem (Leo Skiri Østigård, 84)

Senegal

• El Hadji Malick Diouf (Ismail Joshua Jakobs, 54)
• Pape Alassane Gueye (Ibrahim Mbaye, 54)
• Edouard Mendy (Mory Diaw, 63)
• Lamine Camara (Pathé Ismaël Ciss, 63)
• Kalidou Koulibaly (Pape Matar Sarr, 72)

Ball possession:

Erling Braut Haaland was at the heart of Norway’s threat throughout, leading the match in attempts as Ståle Solbakken’s side punished Senegal’s wastefulness in front of goal. Despite enjoying 58% possession and registering more total efforts, the African champions were repeatedly repelled by a disciplined Norwegian back line and a midfield led by the industrious Sander Gard Bolin Berge.

Passes:

### Norway clinical as Senegal pay price for profligacy

Defense:

With both sides knowing defeat would leave qualification in real jeopardy, the match opened at high intensity. Senegal’s control of the ball – 58% possession to Norway’s 42% – allowed them to dictate much of the tempo, but it was the Scandinavians who showed the greater cutting edge in key moments.

Face-to-face:

Norway produced 13 shots in total, seven of them on target, repeatedly chiselling out clear opportunities despite spending long spells in their own half. Haaland, the focal point of every counter-attack, was the most active shooter on the pitch and also contributed two key passes, underlining his all-round influence on Norway’s forward play.

The last five games (including this match):

• Norway –
• Senegal –

Top 5 World Cup scorers:

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Line-ups:

Next games:

• Norway will play with France. June 26 at 19:00 (GMT), on Gillette Stadium.
• Senegal will play with Iraq. June 26 at 19:00 (GMT), on BMO Field.