Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has declared that his team is not dead despite suffering a second consecutive defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026, this time a 3-2 loss to Norway in Group I at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The result leaves Senegal at the bottom of the group with zero points, but Thiaw remains optimistic about qualifying for the Round of 32 if they win their final group match against Iraq and other results favor them.
Haaland Brace Sinks Senegal
Erling Haaland continued his prolific World Cup form by scoring twice as Norway secured a 3-2 victory over Senegal. Marcus Pedersen opened the scoring in the 44th minute, capitalizing on a loose clearance from Kalidou Koulibaly. Haaland then struck three minutes into the second half, finishing a counter-attack set up by Martin Odegaard. Senegal responded through Ismaila Sarr in the 53rd minute, but Haaland restored Norway's two-goal cushion in the 58th minute with a volley off the underside of the crossbar. Sarr scored his second goal in stoppage time, but Senegal could not find an equalizer as Norway held on for the win.
Thiaw: We Are Not Dead
Speaking after the match, Thiaw acknowledged the difficult position but stressed that Senegal's World Cup campaign is not over. “We have got one match to go, and we need to focus on this last game, and try it and get three points and then cross our fingers,” Thiaw said, as quoted by Reuters. “I think it is a little bit too early to say that we failed. We are not dead. We are not in a good position, and it is true that it is the first time that Senegal has started a World Cup campaign with two defeats. But we have still got a chance to qualify, and we are going to focus on the last game. We want to try and get those three points and hope that we can go through. Once you are in the next round, then it's another tournament that starts,” he added.
Group I Standings and Qualification Scenario
France and Norway lead Group I with six points each, having won both their matches. Senegal's best chance to advance is to finish as one of the eight best third-placed teams. To do so, they must defeat Iraq in their final group stage match and hope other results go their way. Senegal have never started a World Cup campaign with two defeats before, making their path to the knockout stage particularly challenging.
Match Highlights
Norway started brightly, earning four corners in the opening four minutes. Kristoffer Ajer's header was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and Martin Odegaard also tested Mendy early. The breakthrough came in the 44th minute when Pedersen, who replaced the injured Julian Ryerson, fired home after Koulibaly's clearance went awry. Haaland nearly doubled the lead before halftime but hit the post after rounding Mendy. In the second half, Haaland made no mistake, finishing off a counter-attack in the 48th minute. Senegal pulled one back in the 53rd minute when Sadio Mane set up Ismaila Sarr, who beat goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. Norway responded quickly, with Haaland volleying home from Patrick Berg's cross in the 58th minute. Senegal continued to push, and Sarr scored his second in stoppage time, but his late header sailed over the bar, sealing Norway's victory and their place in the Round of 32.
Injury and Defensive Efforts
Senegal suffered another setback when Mendy was forced off with an injury. However, Pathe Ciss produced a vital goal-line clearance to deny Oscar Bobb from extending Norway's lead. Despite the loss, Thiaw praised his team's fighting spirit and urged them to focus on the final group match against Iraq.
