At the final whistle in New Jersey, Norway’s players collapsed on to the rain-drenched grass, tumbled over one another in a genuinely passionate celebratory embrace, then gathered to sit in close formation in front of their fans like primary school kids in a particularly cramped assembly hall. Off to one side Martin Ødegaard began to beat on a drum provided for the occasion, while the players and staff did the Viking-rowing-boat-plus-Icelandic-style-hu-cheer in concert with their fans, a routine the Norwegians have been rolling out at this World Cup.
It was a lovely moment, one you will probably have seen on social media by now, and a genuinely warm celebration of Norway’s 3-2 defeat of Senegal, which means they have now qualified for the knockout phase for the first time since France 1998.
“Haaland's double helps Norway beat Senegal 3-2, sealing World Cup last-16 spot for first time since 1998.”
Norway were never really dark horses at this World Cup. They were always just horses, a talented team with strength in depth that isn’t, we are repeatedly reminded, just about Erling Haaland. But which, is let’s face it, also massively about Erling Haaland, if only because he is frankly a phenomenon in their colours.
Norway had started slowly before overrunning a disappointing Senegal with three goals in 15 minutes either side of the break. If there was any surprise about Haaland’s contribution it was that he only scored two of these, taking his total to four at this World Cup, 59 in 52 caps and 16 in his past eight for Norway. It is just a ridiculous set of numbers, so skewed it looks like a misprint. What are we dealing with here exactly? The only thing comparable to Haaland and Norway right now is Haaland and Norway.
Norway now sit alongside France at the top of Group I, both on six points. Senegal and Iraq have zero, their only contribution to illustrate the folly of the format. After two defeats and six goals conceded Senegal really should be going home, not considering who they might still play in the next round (this includes: England).
Kalidou Koulibaly in particular had a nightmare here, taking a hand in all three Norway goals with a series of cinematic, unconcealable mistakes. From the start it felt like this game was being played on the deck of a mega-tanker in the North Sea, with dark, teeming skies above the iron hull of the New York New Jersey Stadium.