A brace from Erling Haaland secured Norway a spot in the knockout stage, as Senegal suffered a second defeat in Group I at the New Jersey MetLife Stadium.

After losing to Norway 3-2 in Group I, Senegal’s hopes of making the World Cup knockout rounds are hanging by a thread. As the Scandinavian team guaranteed qualification for the last 32 with a second straight victory, an Erling Haaland brace proved critical.

Though they showed grit and fought back twice, Senegal couldn’t limit Norway’s offensive threat. Haaland’s clinical finishing penalised defensive mistakes and finally helped his team win all three points.

The loss leaves Senegal without a point from their first two games and fighting to keep in contention. To maintain their World Cup dream alive, they must now beat Iraq in their last group game and hope other results run their way.

France has already qualified and is topping the table with six points, boasting a superior goal difference over Norway in this group.