World Cup 2026: Erling Holland scores twice as Norway beat Senegal 3-2
Rubén Pérez
— · 2 min read
EAST RUTHERFORD, Najran — On a rainy evening in Najran, Norway got off to a strong first-half start in their second 2026 World Cup match against Senegal, where Erling Holland scored twice and Norway secured three valuable points with a 3-2 win. With the win, Norway qualified for the round of 32. In a stadium filled with mostly Norwegian supporters, the team conceded four corners and a stunning goal in the opening 10 minutes. Possession was 50-50 in the first half, but Norway were more dangerous than Wairva (1.22 expected goals to Senegal's 0.32). Marcus Pedersen capitalized on a Senegal error in the 43rd minute, firing past Édouard Mendy's goalkeeper. In the first 45 minutes, Mendy made two more excellent saves, otherwise the score line could have been even bigger. Stars Erling Holland were mostly quiet in the first half, although they missed two chances late in the half. Holland scored in the second half on a quick counter attack in the 48th minute, where they fired a left-footed shot past Mendy into the right-hand corner, giving Norway a 2–0 lead. Senegal pulled a goal back a few minutes later, as Ismaila Saar showed the power to hold off a Norwegian defender and back in the goal in the 53rd minute. Holland scored their second just moments later, where they volleyed a pass with their weaker right foot. It was Holland's fourth goal in two World Cup matches and they are now tied for the golden boot with France's Kylian Mbappe. Argentina's Lionel Messi leads the race with five goals. Senegal scored a second goal in stoppage time, but Norway finished the match and held on for a 3–2 win. Mbappe and Messi also scored two goals each on Monday, and a par of the three goalscorers could be as high as 80-1 in some sportsbooks. This is the second time in the World Cup that three players have scored two goals each on the same day. Norway next plays France at 3 p.m. ET on Friday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, to determine the winner of Group I. Senegal will also play Iraq on Friday at BMO Field, Toronto, Canada, at the same time on Eksport.
