The 2026 FIFA World Cup witnessed a thrilling match on Monday, June 22, 2026 as Norway clinched a spot in the round of 32 with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Senegal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J..

The night belonged to Erling Haaland who scored twice to bring his World Cup goal tally to four. His performance was pivotal in securing Norway’s advancement, though the match was far from a smooth sail.

Haaland’s Goal-Scoring Prowess

Haaland known for his goal-scoring prowess, lived up to his reputation. “It’s my specialty to score goals,” he stated. “I’m just really good at scoring goals.” His first goal came in the 48th minute, capitalizing on a pass from Martin Ødegaard to put Norway ahead 2-0.

His second goal, in the 58th minute, showcased his versatility. Haaland tunneled through the defense and used his weaker right foot to volley in a pass from Patrick Berg. This goal extended Norway’s lead to 3-1, putting them in a commanding position.

Haaland’s impressive streak includes 24 goals in his last 12 international games and 59 goals in 52 appearances. He is now second in the Golden Boot race, tied with Kylian Mbappé and just one goal behind Lionel Messi.

The Viking Row Celebration

Post-match, Norway’s players and staff engaged in a unique celebration known as the Viking Row. They formed a 10-row formation inside the penalty area, facing their red-shirted supporters. Ødegaard led the chant, banging a bongo drum as the team mimicked oarsmen, chanting “Ro!” in unison with the fans.

“We’ve all seen it online and it’s been going completely viral,” Haaland recalled. “Martin told me before the game, ‘ Should we join in?’ I responded, ‘If we win, let’s do it. So why not? Let’s go for it.'” This celebration has gained traction back home, with Norwegian parliamentarians also participating in the Viking Row.

Norway coach Ståle Solbakken commented, “It was fun. We will not be rowing after the World Cup, but this can be a gimmick during the tournament.”

A Hard-Fought Victory

The match was not without its challenges. Marcus Pederson entered in the 13th minute for his World Cup debut, replacing an injured teammate. He scored the opening goal in the 43rd minute, capitalizing on mistakes by Senegal captain Kalibou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.

Senegal fought back with goals from Ismaïla Sarr in the 53rd minute and in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. However, their efforts fell short as Norway held on to secure the victory.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw acknowledged Haaland’s efficiency, stating, “He’s very efficient.” Solbakken added, “He did miss an open goal. He could have scored even four. He is the best striker — he is not playing for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway.”

With this victory, Norway (2-0) is assured of advancing from Group I along with France. They need to beat Les Bleus on Friday for first place and a potentially easier path in the knockout bracket. Senegal, on the other hand, is 0-2 in a World Cup for the first time and needs a win over Iraq (0-2) to have any chance of advancing as a third-place team.

“We’ve got everything left to play for,” Thiaw said, reflecting on Senegal’s remaining chances.

As the final whistle blew, a downpour began, causing announcements for fans to leave the stadium bowl for sheltered space. Haaland’s parting words echoed the joy of the moment: “Let’s be happy, every single Norwegian on the planet today.”