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Haaland enchants with two goals and a Viking celebration: Norway advances to the World Cup
Erling Haaland scored two goals in Norway's 3-2 win against Senegal, ensuring the team's passage to the round of 16 of the World Cup. After the match, the players celebrated with a Viking chant, showing their unity and team spirit.
Erling Haaland and his Norwegian teammates showcased their rowing talents after clinching a place in the round of 16 of the World Cup. However, their rowing skills are no match for Haaland's core rowing skills. “It's my specialty to score goals,” Haaland said. “I'm really good at scoring goals.” With yesterday's brace, his World Cup goal tally rose to four, as Norway progressed to the knockout rounds with a 3-2 win against Senegal, a match that was more tiring than easy. At the final whistle, the Norwegian players and staff gathered in a ten-row formation just inside the penalty area, facing their red-shirted supporters, with Haaland in the front row while teammate Martin Ødegaard played a bongo drum. They took turns with the fans performing the Viking chant - chanting "Ro!" while the rowers mimed. "It was fun," Norway coach Ståle Solbakken commented through an interpreter. "We don't row after the World Cup, but this can be an expedient during the tournament." Marcus Pederson gave the Vikings the lead in the 43rd minute, coming on for an injured teammate, and Haaland continued his remarkable scoring streak in the 48th and 58th minutes, making the score 3-1. “It's very effective,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said through an interpreter. Haaland received a pass from Martin Ødegaard and scored with a left-footed shot past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, completing a quick counterattack to make it 2-0. He then paid homage to Thierry Henry, performing the famous corner celebration of the French world champion. For his second goal, Haaland broke through the defense and from eight meters raised his right foot, his weakest foot, to tap Patrick Berg's pass. Haaland raised a hand to her ear to encourage the Norwegian supporters. Haaland has scored 24 goals in his last 12 international matches, scoring in every match, and has totaled 59 goals in 52 appearances. The 25-year-old striker became one of only two players in the last 50 years to have two-goal games in his first two World Cup appearances, alongside Harry Kane. He is currently second in the race for the Golden Boot, one behind Lionel Messi and tied with Kylian Mbappé. Haaland came close to scoring another goal in first-half stoppage time, hitting the post after Mendy lost control of the ball. "He missed an open goal. He could have even scored four goals," Solbakken said. "He's the best striker — he doesn't play for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway." Ismaila Sarr scored both goals for the Teranga Lions, in the 53rd minute and third minute of injury time in the second half. "If we had played just a little bit worse, we would have been in trouble," Solbakken noted. Senegal is 0-2 at the World Cup for the first time and needs a win against Iraq (0-2) to have any chance of advancing as third place. "We have everything to play for," Thaw said. So far, Norway (2-0) has secured passage from Phase I alongside France. The Vikings must beat Les Bleus on Friday to clinch first place and a seemingly easier route into the knockout bracket. But Haaland doesn't seem worried about that key match against Mbappé and co, downplaying what will be one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage. "I don't care much about that game now. They'll probably win against us. They'll probably win the tournament," Haaland said after Monday's game. But while all eyes were on that match, this night belonged to Haaland. Although there were storm warnings, a downpour stopped more than three hours before kick-off. The clouds reopened after the final whistle, causing announcements for fans to leave the stadium to seek shelter. At least fans got to witness another memorable performance from one of football's biggest stars. “We are happy,” Haaland said, “every single Norwegian on the planet today.”
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