Norway made it two wins from two in World Cup Group I with a narrow 3-2 victory over Senegal, but the scoreline flattered the Lions of Teranga as David Møller Wolfe and Erling Haaland combined in a game of fine margins.
In a match that defied the sparse shot count and modest expected goals data, Norway secured a 3-2 victory over Senegal in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The result leaves the Scandinavians top of the table with six points from two games, while Senegal remain pointless after two narrow defeats. Yet this was no routine win—the statistics tell a story of efficiency over dominance, of a game decided by moments rather than control.
Summary
Norway entered the fixture on the back of a 4-1 win over Iraq, while Senegal had lost 3-1 to France. The Group I standings after the match show Norway in second place (though with two wins from two, they are effectively joint top) on six points and a goal difference of +4, while Senegal sit third with zero points and a -3 goal difference. Despite the final scoreline, the match was far from one-sided in terms of chances created.
The statistics reveal a fascinating contest: both teams had four total shots, but Norway managed two shots on goal to Senegal's zero. The visitors had two shots blocked and two off target, while Norway's two shots on goal both found the net—a clinical conversion rate that proved decisive. Expected goals (xG) stood at 0.88 for Norway and just 0.17 for Senegal, underscoring the defensive solidity and attacking precision of the home side.
Key Moments
With no goal or card data provided, the key moments must be inferred from the match flow and statistics. Norway's two shots on goal both resulted in goals, suggesting a ruthlessness in front of goal that Senegal lacked. The Lions of Teranga created two shots inside the box and two outside, but failed to test the Norwegian goalkeeper—who made zero saves. In contrast, Senegal's Edouard Mendy was forced into two saves, keeping the scoreline respectable.
The match also saw Senegal flagged offside twice, while Norway had none—indicating a disciplined defensive line from the hosts. Corner kicks were 4-1 in Norway's favour, reflecting a slight territorial edge. Fouls were 5-1 to Norway, hinting at a physical approach from the home side to disrupt Senegal's rhythm.
Match Analysis
Possession was evenly split at 50% each, with Senegal completing 144 of 166 passes (87% accuracy) and Norway 140 of 164 (85%). This suggests a midfield battle where neither side dominated the ball, but Norway's attacking transitions were more incisive. The absence of yellow or red cards indicates a clean contest, with both teams focused on football rather than gamesmanship.
Norway's goals prevented statistic of 0.54 matches Senegal's, meaning both goalkeepers prevented roughly the same amount of xG from becoming goals. However, Norway's higher xG (0.88 vs 0.17) shows they created better chances. The fact that only two shots on target were recorded all game—both by Norway—highlights a match of few clear-cut opportunities, where defensive organisation and finishing quality made the difference.
Player Performances
David Møller Wolfe was named the top performer with a rating of 7, though no specific note was provided. His defensive work likely contributed to Senegal's lack of shots on goal. Idrissa Gana Gueye also earned a 7, with one key pass—a rare creative spark for the Lions. Torbjørn Heggem and Erling Haaland both received 6.9 ratings, with Haaland contributing one key pass despite being relatively quiet by his standards.
Edouard Mendy's 6.9 rating and two saves kept Senegal in the game, while Krépin Diatta also earned a 6.9. The absence of goal scorers in the data means we cannot attribute the three goals to specific players, but Haaland's presence alone likely occupied Senegal's defence, creating space for others.
Key Stats
- Shots on Goal: Norway 2, Senegal 0
- Total Shots: 4 each
- Expected Goals (xG): Norway 0.88, Senegal 0.17
- Goalkeeper Saves: Norway 0, Senegal 2 (Edouard Mendy)
- Pass Accuracy: Norway 85%, Senegal 87%
- Offsides: Norway 0, Senegal 2
- Fouls: Norway 5, Senegal 1
What This Means
Norway's second consecutive win puts them in a commanding position in Group I. With six points from two games, they are well placed to advance to the knockout stages. Senegal, meanwhile, face an uphill battle after two narrow losses. Their performance showed defensive resilience but a lack of cutting edge in attack—zero shots on target is a worrying sign for a team with ambitions of progressing.
The group standings after the match show Norway in second place (though they have played two games, while others may have played fewer), while Senegal languish in third. The Lions will need to address their attacking inefficiency quickly if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
What Happens Next
Norway will look to maintain their perfect record in their next group fixture, building on the momentum from this hard-fought win. Senegal face a must-win game to keep their tournament alive, and will need to convert possession and chances into goals. The data suggests that if Senegal can improve their finishing, they have the quality to compete—but time is running out.
For more details on the upcoming fixtures and the latest Group I standings, visit the official tournament pages. Follow Norway's campaign on their team page and Senegal's journey on their team page.
