Haaland’s Test: Norway vs Senegal Prediction — 23.06.2026
The second round of the World Cup group stage between Norway and Senegal will unfold in the early hours of Tuesday at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford. After thrashing Iraq, the Norwegians have all but booked their ticket to the playoffs, while Senegal, reeling from a defeat to France, cannot afford any more slip-ups: they need points here and now, or everything will come down to the final round.
Norway: an impressive scoreline, but not without flaws
Norway opened with a commanding 4-1 victory over Iraq, but the result was more convincing than the performance itself. Ståle Solbakken’s team was ruthlessly clinical, capitalizing on nearly every chance and Iraqi mistake, netting four goals from just five shots on target. Still, Iraq managed to breach the Norwegian defense several times, so conceding only once actually flattered the "Vikings."
Solbakken has little reason to tinker with his starting eleven, though a few positions are still up for debate. Antonio Nusa and Torbjørn Heggem didn’t have their best games, and Alexander Sørloth received low marks, but none look likely to be dropped from the opening whistle. The undisputed talisman remains Erling Haaland, who bagged a brace and directly influenced the outcome of the opening match.
Senegal: a promising first half against France, but warning signs after the break
Senegal kicked off their campaign against one of the tournament favorites and looked competitive in the first half. Papa Thiaw’s side not only held France at bay but also regularly threatened Mike Maignan’s goal, registering five shots before halftime. After the break, however, the "Lions of Teranga" faded physically, struggled to keep up with France’s pacey attackers, and ultimately fell 1-3.
The center of defense was especially concerning, with Kalidou Koulibaly unable to handle the pressure and involved in several shaky moments. With a duel against the powerful Haaland looming, this is a serious concern, making Mamadou Sarr a potential alternative worth considering. The midfield could also see changes: Idrissa Gueye had a poor second half and may be replaced by Pathé Ciss.
Probable lineups
- Norway: Nyland, Møller, Heggem, Ajer, Ryerson, Nusa, Aursnes, Berge, Ødegaard, Haaland, Sørloth.
- Senegal: Mendy, Diatta, Koulibaly, Nyakate, Diouf, Camara, Ciss, Diarra, Sarr, Jackson, Mané.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their opening fixture.
- Senegal lost 1-3 to France, despite a strong first half.
- Three of Senegal’s last five matches and six of Norway’s last seven games have seen both teams score.
- No more than 10 corners have been awarded in regulation time in each of Senegal’s last 6 World Cup matches.
- No more than 3 yellow cards have been shown in regulation time in 6 of Senegal’s last 8 World Cup matches.
Norway closer to victory, but not without nerves: prediction for Norway vs Senegal
Norway’s attack remains their primary weapon. Haaland, Ødegaard, and Sørloth have the quality to punish Senegal for any gaps between the lines, while Koulibaly’s struggles and the aging core of Senegal’s defense make this a particularly tough matchup for the "Lions of Teranga." That said, Norway’s firepower looks less intimidating against stronger opposition than it does against lower-ranked sides.
Senegal can certainly improve upon their second-half showing against France, but their fitness and defensive decisions remain question marks. They’ll undoubtedly create chances, especially given Norway’s imperfect backline, but keeping Haaland quiet for 90 minutes will be a monumental challenge. The most likely scenario is a game with both sides scoring and a hard-fought European win.
