The Norwegian striker scored twice in a 3-2 win over Senegal to send his country through to the quarter-finals and go on to end one of the most successful international tournaments ever.Erling Haaland arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying the expectations that follow every top player, and within just two games of his senior year in football, he has begun to turn those expectations into a series of performances that are reshaping Norway’s place in World Cup history.Haaland scored twice as Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 in a thrilling Group I match at MetLife Stadium, a result that saw them qualify for the Round of 32 and set up a final group meeting with France on June 27 to decide who tops the group.For Norway, appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, the victory marked a long-awaited return to international importance, while for Haaland it represented another step in a remarkable international career that continues to shine.
Norway has renewed pressure from Senegal to secure qualification
For much of the opening period, Senegal matched Norway’s intensity and threatened to break their rhythm, forcing Ståle Solbakken’s team into a contest that required patience in attack. The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when a misunderstanding between Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Édouard Mendy allowed Marcus Holmgren Pedersen to score, giving Norway an early lead.That moment changed the course of the game, and Norway took advantage in the second half with renewed confidence. Just two minutes after the restart, Martin Ødegaard made a pass that showed his vision and accuracy, guiding the ball into Haaland’s path, which the striker turned hard to double the lead.
Norway’s Erling Haaland (9) scores his third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephen Collingwood)
Senegal responded quickly, with Sadio Mané driving forward and creating space for Ismaïla Sarr, who was able to finish off the ground in the 53rd minute, reducing the deficit and slowly re-establishing the contest.However, Haaland’s influence was also important. In the 58th minute, he met the ball first in the penalty area and hit a powerful volley that bounced off the crossbar before crossing the line, restoring Norway’s two goals and taking a strong lead.Sarr’s second goal deep in stoppage time made things difficult, but Norway held on to secure a victory that sealed their passage to the knockout stages.
Haaland becomes Norway’s greatest player in the World Cup
Haaland entered the World Cup without a single goal, but within two games he had already scored four, making him Norway’s top scorer in FIFA World Cup history. In doing so, he surpassed Kjetil Rekdal’s previous record of two goals, a mark that had stood since Norway’s last appearance at the tournament in 1998, meaning Haaland broke a record that had remained untouched for 28 years.
Norway’s Erling Haaland (9) takes action during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
What makes this all the more impressive is not just the amount but the speed with which it was achieved, as Haaland only needed two appearances to establish himself as his country’s top scorer in the World Cup.His four goals have come in back-to-back matches against Iraq and Senegal, making him one of the most consistent players to start their World Cup campaign.
A feat that was seen only six times in the history of the World Cup
By scoring twice against Senegal, Haaland became the sixth player to score multiple goals in his first two World Cup matches.This unique series spans almost a century of competition and includes some of football’s greatest players.Before Haaland, only five players had achieved the feat, each doing so with impressive goals in their opening two games:
- Guillermo Stábile (Argentina, 1930): Scored a hat-trick against Mexico on his debut, followed by a brace against Chile.
- Sándor Kocsis (Hungary, 1954): Opened with a hat-trick against South Korea before scoring four goals against West Germany.
- Just Fontaine (France, 1958): Started with a hat-trick against Paraguay and followed it up with a brace against Yugoslavia.
- Grzegorz Lato (Poland, 1974): Documentary series against Argentina and Haiti.
- Harry Kane (England, 2018): Scored two goals against Tunisia on debut followed by a hat-trick against Panama.
Now Haaland has joined the ranks, having scored back-to-back goals against Iraq and Senegal.More impressively, he is only the second player in the last 50 years to achieve this feat, following Kane’s stunning debut for England in Russia eight years ago.For a player making his World Cup debut at the age of 25, it represents an incredible experience for the tournament.
The writing style is different from what is seen in modern football
Although his World Cup performance attracted a lot of attention, it only forms part of a world record that continues to set new standards.Haaland’s two goals against Senegal took his tally to 59 goals in just 52 games for Norway, giving him a goals-per-game ratio of 1.13, the highest ever recorded by an international player with 50 goals in the last 100 years.To understand the magnitude of this, it is important to consider the players who followed him later:
- Erling Haaland (Norway): 59 goals in 52 games – 1.13 goals per game
- Sándor Kocsis (Hungary): 75 goals in 68 games – 1.10 goals per game
- Gerd Müller (West Germany): 68 goals in 62 games – 1.10 goals per game
- Harry Kane (England): Average 0.65 goals per game
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): Average 0.62 goals per game
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): Average 0.59 goals per game
Haaland’s success therefore puts him ahead of his contemporaries and the most prolific scorers in football history.His latest goal added to the consistency, as he has now scored in 12 consecutive games for Norway and has found the net in his last 21 international matches.
The race for the Golden Boot is intensifying ahead of the French showpiece
Haaland’s heroics have also ensured he remains in contention for the Golden Boot, with four goals in two games taking him level with France captain Kylian Mbappé and just one behind Lionel Messi, who has reached five goals following the Argentina incident.Norway’s qualification ensures that Haaland will have the opportunity to increase his risk, starting on Friday with a meeting against France, a game that will determine the winner of Group I and include the two best performers of the competition.Mbappé arrived after scoring twice against Iraq, while Haaland entered the tournament after another impressive performance against Senegal, setting up a competitive and individually important competition.In Norway, the progression of the knockout game is the first sign of success since 1998, but for Haaland, his interest continues to go beyond qualification, as his four goals in two games have already placed him among the best in the competition, and his influence is likely to continue to grow as the competition continues.
