Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken paid tribute to Erling Haaland after the forward scored his second double of the World Cup in a 3-2 Group I win over Senegal on Monday to send his side into the last 32. He said Norway would do everything to help him win the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
Captain Martin Odegaard set Haaland up to score his first goal in the 48th minute, and he added a second with a deft finish to make it 3-1, but the giant goal-poacher also left a number of other chances begging, and when Senegal pulled a goal back late in the match it made for a nerve-wracking finish.
“Well, I mean, today he missed an open goal, and he could have even scored four,” Solbakken joked.
«No, I mean, he’s the best striker. He doesn’t play for France or Argentina, he scores for Norway. He’s now scored four goals, two braces on the biggest stage.»
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The Norwegians sit second in the group with six points, behind France on goal difference ahead of the final match between the two on Friday, and while the French also boast a red-hot striker in Kylian Mbappe, Solbakken is backing his side to help Haaland.
«It is easier to win the Golden Boot when you play for France and Argentina, but we will try to give Erling more games, and also more help in the next games. So he is on fire and I am very happy for him that he can score on the biggest stage,» said Solbakken.
NORWAY TO THE LAST 32
Appearing in its first World Cup since 1998, victory over Senegal guaranteed Norway’s exit from the group, and the team and coaches celebrated by indulging in the ‘row’ chant made famous by their fans during the tournament.
With the players visibly wilting in the second half, Solbakken hinted he might rotate his squad ahead of the match against France.
«We haven’t started that planning yet (for France), so now we’ll go back to our camp and get a good refund because we need that after a very tough match, and there will be other players playing that match,» he said.
Published on June 23, 2026
