ERLING Haaland produced another clinical display with a brace as Norway secured a place in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup with victory over Senegal, while Algeria came from behind to defeat Jordan and keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Haaland continued his remarkable scoring form in New Jersey, leading Norway to qualification from Group I alongside France, while Algeria fought back in San Francisco to knock World Cup debutants Jordan out of the competition and set up a decisive final group-stage clash against Austria.
The Manchester City striker scored twice in Norway’s victory over Senegal, taking his tally to four goals in just two matches at the tournament.
His exploits have already rewritten Norway’s World Cup record books, with Haaland now having scored twice as many World Cup goals as any other player in the country’s history.
Norway initially found the breakthrough late in the first half through full-back Marcus Pedersen, who had come on as an early substitute.
Pedersen capitalised on a poor clearance by Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly to give the Scandinavians a deserved lead before the interval.
Haaland then took centre stage after the restart.
Just three minutes into the second half, he raced onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Martin Odegaard before finishing clinically to double Norway’s advantage and become his country’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.
Senegal responded through Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr, whose goal briefly reignited hopes of a comeback.
However, Haaland struck again only five minutes later, calmly side-footing a volley off the crossbar and into the net to restore Norway’s two-goal cushion.
The goals further extended an extraordinary scoring streak for the striker.
Haaland has now found the net in 12 consecutive competitive matches for Norway and has scored at least twice in each of his last six appearances.
Senegal refused to surrender and set up a tense finish when Sarr grabbed his second goal deep into stoppage time.
The winger almost rescued a dramatic point in the final moments but headed over the bar when presented with a golden opportunity.
Despite the late scare, Norway were comfortably the better side for most of the contest, including during a scrappy first half, and held on for a second successive victory.
The result sends Stale Solbakken’s side into the knockout rounds alongside France from Group I.
Senegal, meanwhile, must defeat Iraq in their final group match to retain any realistic chance of progressing.
In San Francisco, Algeria recovered from a first-half setback to secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Jordan and eliminate the World Cup newcomers from the competition.
Jordan entered the contest determined to frustrate an Algeria side expected to dominate possession, and their disciplined defensive display initially paid dividends.
The underdogs stunned their opponents by taking the lead in the 36th minute through Nizar Al Rashdan.
The midfielder produced a composed finish with the outside of his right foot after Algeria’s Ramiz Zerrouki had cheaply surrendered possession.
Earlier in the match, Al Rashdan had already flashed a header narrowly wide within the opening minute.
Algeria nevertheless controlled much of the possession and created several opportunities.
Amine Gouiri dragged a low effort wide, while Fares Chaibi saw a shot blocked after Ibrahim Maza’s dangerous cut-back.
Veteran winger Riyad Mahrez, making his first World Cup start since 2014, also came close to opening the scoring but was denied by goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila after being released by a long pass over the top.
Jordan continued to threaten after the break.
Abulaila produced impressive saves to keep out a fierce 25-yard effort from Maza and a header from Nadhir Benbouali, while Noor Al Rawabdeh curled an effort inches wide at the other end.
The pressure eventually told in the 69th minute.
Mahrez delivered an excellent corner and Benbouali glanced a downward header into the net via the post to level the scores.
Algeria continued to push forward in search of a winner and eventually found it eight minutes from time.
After another dangerous inswinging corner caused chaos inside the Jordan penalty area, the ball bounced kindly for Gouiri, who hooked it home to complete the comeback.
The victory keeps Algeria firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
The North Africans currently sit third in Group J and will face second-placed Austria in a decisive encounter in Kansas City on Sunday.
Jordan, meanwhile, have been eliminated and will conclude their debut World Cup campaign against group leaders Argentina in Dallas.
While Norway celebrated qualification through the brilliance of Haaland, Algeria ensured their World Cup journey remains alive, setting up an intriguing final round of group-stage fixtures with knockout places still up for grabs.