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Norway and Senegal will face off this Monday at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford in one of the most exciting matches of the second round of , starting at 8:00 PM Cuba time.
Both teams arrive at the match under radically different circumstances: the Norwegians lead the group with three points and a goal difference of +3 after defeating Iraq 4-1, while the Senegalese have zero points after losing 3-1 to France in the opening match.
The World Cup debut of Norway against Iraq was historic for two reasons: the Scandinavian team returned to the World Cup after 28 years away — since France 1998 — and did so with a commanding performance.
Erling Haaland was the standout performer with a brace in minutes 29 and 43, and Leo Østigård capped it off with two more goals in minutes 76 and 77.
The forward from Manchester City approaches the match against Senegal as Norway's primary offensive threat, supported by the creative talent of Martin Ødegaard in midfield and the speed of Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa on the wings.
Coach Ståle Solbakken does not have any significant absences and is expected to field virtually the same starting eleven that performed against Iraq, a sign of the confidence the team exudes following their World Cup debut.
Senegal, on the other hand, arrives with the obligation to win. The Lions of Teranga fell to France in the same stadium where this match will take place, in front of 80,545 spectators, with goals from Kylian Mbappé —in the 66th and 90+6 minutes— and Bradley Barcola in the 82nd minute.
The coach Pape Thiaw will once again rely on an attack led by Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson, and Ismaïla Sarr, with Kalidou Koulibaly as a key figure in defense and Lamine Camara and Idrissa Gueye providing balance in midfield.
The main risk for Senegal will be managing the spaces behind their defensive line, particularly the area where Norway is most dangerous due to fast transitions and Haaland's ability to make attacking runs.
Tactically, the clash promises a contrast of styles: Senegal will aim to control possession and create danger on the flanks with Mané and Sarr, while Norway will rely on swift counterattacks, a strategy that already proved effective in the first round.
The only previous encounter between the two teams was a friendly match in 2006, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Senegal, although that result holds little significance in the current context.
The format of the 2026 World Cup —with 48 teams and the best third-placed teams from each group also qualifying— leaves a small window open for Senegal even in the event of a loss, but the situation would be very precarious heading into the final match against Iraq.
A Norwegian victory, on the other hand, would decisively bring Solbakken's team closer to the Round of 32 and solidify one of the most striking comebacks of this .
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