24/06/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 24, 2026 28 NORWAY COACH Stale Solbakken paid tribute to Erling Haaland after the striker netted his second double of the World Cup in the Group I victory over Senegal yesterday to fire his side into the last 32, saying Norway would do all they could to help him win the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer. “Today he did miss an open goal, and he could even have scored even four,” Solbakken joked. “No, I mean, he is the best striker – he is not playing for France or Argentina, he scores for Norway. He’s scored four goals now, two braces on the biggest stage.” The Norwegians are second in the group with six points, behind France on goal difference ahead of the final game between the two on Saturday, and though the French also boast a red-hot striker in Kylian Mbappe, Solbakken is backing his side to help Haaland. Lions of Teranga refuse to fold SENEGAL are in a precarious position after two World Cup defeats, but coach Pape Bouna Thiaw said his side’s hopes of progress at the tournament are not dead. Senegal were expected to be strong contenders at the World Cup in North America but lost their opening Group I fixture 3-1 to France and went down 3-2 to Norway yesterday. “I think that it was a difficult game for us against a very strong Norwegian side that put us into very difficult situa tions as they were very efficient,” said Thiaw. “We conceded goals at probably the worst time that we could have, just before half-time and then just after we came out for the second half. “But we need to congratulate Norway, and I’m encouraging my play ers not to be despondent because it wasn’t easy. We were looking for a positive result and looking to go away with three points, but this just didn’t hap pen for us this evening.” France, who beat Iraq 3-0 earlier in Philadelphia, and Norway are both on six points and through to the next round. The best Senegal can do is take one of the eight slots for the best third placed finishers, but need to beat Iraq in their last group game in Toronto Saturday (3am) to stand any chance. “We’ve got one match to go, and

2026 WORLD CUP

Solbakken hails Haaland

Alexander Sorloth said, beaming with pride after the game. “A lot more fun than I would have thought. When you hear the sound, it’s magical.” Asked how far he and the Viking row ing might take him and his team at the World Cup, Sorloth was confident. “We’ll see, but if we reach our top level, it’s a tournament and everything can happen, but if we reach our top level, we can go far,” he said. With players visibly wilting in the sec ond half, Solbakken hinted that he might rotate his squad ahead of the France game. “We haven’t started that planning (for France) yet, so now we will get back to our camp and make good restitution because we need that after a very tough game, and there will be other players who play that game,” he said. – Reuters/AFP

Trondheim joining in as the celebration brought Norway supporters around the world together, but midfielder Patrick Berg revealed that he did not think the row was going to catch on. “At the start, I think people doubted a little bit – like, is this something that’s going to last or just something that’s going to die off? But it’s been a massive part of our World Cup so far,” he told reporters. “Doing it in New York is a really beau tiful moment for us together. They started doing it back home in Oslo before we left for the World Cup, and now I think the whole world is aware of it… “I feel the energy that we create together with (the fans) is really impor tant for us.” “It was incredibly fun,” forward

“It’s easier to win the Golden Boot when you play for France and Argentina, but we’ll try to give Erling more games, and more help also in the next games. So he’s on fire and I’m very happy for him that he can score on the biggest stage,” Solbakken said. Appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, the win over Senegal guaran teed that Norway will make it out of the group, and the team and coaches cele brated by indulging in the “row” chant made famous by their fans at the tour nament. With the squad sitting in rows resem bling those of a Viking longboat and Solbakken squeezing into the middle behind Haaland, Odegaard began beating the drum to a joyous climax. TV pictures showed fans back in

‘Let’s be realistic’

E RLING HAALAND said Norway must be realistic about what they can achieve at the World Cup after qualifying for the last 32 yesterday with a 3-2 win over Senegal. 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. However, Haaland cautioned against getting carried away after the team’s strong start to their first World Cup since 1998. “To qualify for the first time in 28

Haaland cools Norway’s WC expectations, tells the Vikings to enjoy the ride

beat us and go on and win the whole tournament.” Asked whether this could become his World Cup, the Manchester City striker said: “Depends on what you mean with that. To qualify for the first time in 28 years and going through the group stage, yes, I would say so. “To win the World Cup, abso lutely not. I think let’s be a little realistic here, and let’s be happy, every single Norwegian on the planet today.” The joy around Norway’s campaign was visible before kickoff as supporters gathered in Times Square and fascinated Americans with their rowing celebration, which the players mimicked on the pitch following their win. “It was crazy,” Haaland, 25, said. “Martin (Odegaard) and I talked a bit about it before the match, about whether

Haaland. “We’ve won 12 compet itive games in a row now. I’m part of something special, making history, and I’m extremely proud to be Norwegian.”

years and going through the group stage I would say, yes. To win

the World Cup, abso lutely not,” said

In this tournament, the Manchester City striker is level with Kylian Mbappe on four goals and one behind Lionel Messi, who has netted all five of Argentina’s goals at the tourna ment so far and in the

we should join in if every thing went the way it did, and it did, so a pretty special moment I would say for the whole of Norway.” “I think it is right up there with the big gest nights I have had in my entire life. I

we need to focus on this last game, and try it and get three points and then cross our fin gers,” Thiaw said. “I think it’s a little bit too early to say that we failed. We’re not dead. We’re not in a good position, and it is true that it’s the first time that Senegal has

started a World Cup campaign with two defeats. “But we’ve still got a chance to qualify, and we’re going to focus on

have a bit of the

proc ess has become the World Cup’s high est scorer in history with 18 goals. Haaland meanwhile

same

feeling that I had after

the last game. We want to try and get those three points and hope that we can go through. “Once you’re in the next round, then it’s another tour nament that

the (2023) Champions League final (win). It is incredibly huge. I am incredibly proud and all of that. “I want to achieve things with Norway. I want to qualify for the World Cup, the Euros, and every thing there is. Again, it comes back to showing that it is possi ble, no matter where you come from. “The World Cup is without a doubt the biggest stage. It is huge. Completely fantastic.” – AFP/Reuters

took his international tally to a remarkable 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. I don’t know what I’m doing. It’s just how it is.” Asked about facing France, Haaland gave a frank response. “I don’t care, we are through,” he told reporters. “They’ll probably

Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during yesterday’s Group I match against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New York. – AFPPIC

starts,” he added. – Reuters