EAST RUTHERFORD: Erling Haaland said Norway must be realistic about what they can achieve at the World Cup after qualifying for the last 32 on Monday with a 3-2 win over Senegal.

Norway substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen struck late in the first half in New Jersey before Haaland doubled the lead shortly after the break.

Ismaila Sarr cut the deficit for Senegal, only for Haaland to punish more slack defending as Norway moved through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare despite a late consolation from Sarr.

Haaland followed up his brace in the opening 4-1 victory over Iran with two more goals as Norway won consecutive games at the World Cup for the first time.

Norway have lost just one of their past 18 matches and will take on 2022 runners-up France in Boston on Friday to determine the winners of Group ‘I’.

But Haaland cautioned against getting carried away after a strong start to their first World Cup since 1998.

“To qualify for the first time in 28 years and going through the group stage ‘I’ would say, yes. To win the World Cup, absolutely not,” said Haaland. “We’ve won 12 games in a row now. I’m part of something special, making history, and I’m extremely proud to be Norwegian.”

In this tournament, Haaland is level with Kylian Mbappe on four goals and one behind Lionel Messi. Haaland meanwhile took his international tally to 59 goals in 52 games.

“I think it’s my speciality, to score goals,” said Haaland. “It’s like many others things, I’m just really good at scoring goals and I’m quite lucky.”

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw must hold out hope his team can beat Iraq in their final game to have a chance of reaching the knockout phase.

“A tough match against a team that caused us problems; they were very clinical and scored two goals at the worst possible times,” said Thiaw. “After the first goal we regrouped, but we conceded a second. We have to encourage the players because it’s not easy.

“We need to focus on this last match and give everything to get the three points and keep hoping. It’s difficult, but we’re not dead yet.”

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026