Key takeaways
- Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on 22 June in a five-goal thriller to reach the round of 32.
- Erling Haaland scored a brace for the second match running, taking him to four goals.
- Ismaila Sarr scored twice for Senegal, with Marcus Pedersen also on target for Norway.
- Haaland is now level with Mbappé on four, one behind Golden Boot leader Messi.
On a day of milestones, Erling Haaland made sure Norway grabbed their share of the spotlight. The Vikings beat Senegal 3-2 on 22 June in a five-goal thriller to reach the round of 32, with Haaland scoring a brace for the second match running.
New to following the tournament? Start with our World Cup 2026 betting guide and the outright winner odds explained.
Five goals, two stars
Marcus Pedersen gave Norway the lead after Senegal errors at the back, and Haaland doubled it shortly after the break. Ismaila Sarr pulled one back for Senegal, only for Haaland to restore the two-goal cushion with a clinical finish for 3-1. Sarr completed his own brace in stoppage time to set up a nervy finale, but Norway held on to seal qualification.
It is Haaland’s fourth goal in two matches — a brace in each — and confirms Norway as one of the early surprises of the tournament, reaching the knockouts with a game to spare.
Two games, two braces — Haaland has arrived on the World Cup stage.
What it means for the outright market
Norway were not among the pre-tournament favourites in the World Cup 2026 winner odds, which is exactly why their run is worth watching. A team built around an in-form Haaland and now safely through to the knockouts is the kind of profile that can shorten quickly in the outright and dark-horse markets.
The lesson for tournament bettors is to spot momentum before the market fully reacts. Norway’s number will already be tighter than it was a week ago, so judge whether any remaining value beats their true chance of a deep run.
The Golden Boot angle
Haaland’s brace lifts him to four goals, level with Kylian Mbappé and one behind leader Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. With Norway through and Haaland scoring at will, he is a genuine threat to top the charts.
Markets worth weighing carefully:
- Top tournament scorer — Haaland’s scoring rate makes him a live contender, but Norway’s likely tougher knockout draw could limit his minutes.
- Anytime scorer — he is in red-hot form, yet back-to-back braces inflate his next price. Shop around for value.
- Match result and totals — a Norway side that keeps trading goals makes the over tempting, though leaky defending cuts both ways.
Turn any price into an implied probability before betting — our football betting odds guide explains how.
Fancy Haaland to keep firing? Place your World Cup bet at our #1 casino → — instant GCash, 18+.
Bet it sensibly
A red-hot striker and a surprise package can make a bet feel obvious, and that is exactly when markets overprice the story. Back the numbers that beat the true chance, not the highlight reel, and keep your stakes inside a set budget. If betting ever stops being fun, our responsible gambling resources are there to help. 18+.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Norway vs Senegal?
Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on 22 June 2026 in a World Cup Group I match. Erling Haaland scored twice and Marcus Pedersen also scored; Ismaila Sarr netted a brace for Senegal.
How many World Cup goals does Haaland have now?
Haaland has four goals, a brace in each of his first two World Cup matches, leaving him level with Kylian Mbappé and one behind leader Lionel Messi.
