Norway and Senegal will face off this Monday in New York/New Jersey on the second matchday of Group I, in a game that could be crucial to the outcome of a “group of death” in which France remains the favorite.
Group I, which boasts the highest FIFA ranking in the entire tournament, is rubbing its hands in anticipation on the eve of the highly anticipated match between Norway and Senegal—a game that could send the Nordic team through to the Round of 16 and virtually eliminate the Lions of Teranga.
The goal-scoring machine leading Norway
The main focus is, who else but Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City forward wasn’t fazed by the fact that his country hadn’t made it to a World Cup in 28 years.
He scored two goals in Norway’s season opener, a 1-4 victory over a tenacious Iraq team on the first matchday.
The World Cup suits Haaland well.
During his appearance at the 2019 U-20 World Cup, he scored a whopping nine goals in Norway’s memorable 12-0 rout of Honduras.
And at age 25, he is already his country’s all-time leading scorer with 57 goals in 50 games—more than one goal per game (Filed under: Norway vs. Senegal).
The team that ended a long absence
But Norway is much more than just Haaland.
Martin Odegaard, Arsenal’s captain, is the playmaker who orchestrates the Nordic team’s play from midfield.
Meanwhile, Alexander Sorloth, Atlético Madrid’s striker, rounds out the Vikings’ formidable offense.
Norway’s “golden generation,” led by Stale Solbakken, ended a seven-tournament streak of not qualifying.
This was thanks to a flawless qualifying campaign in which they finished ahead of Italy—which is missing from the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
And they finished with a perfect record, scoring 37 goals and conceding only 5 (Filed under: Norway vs. Senegal).
Senegal relies on the experience of its leaders
Senegal isn’t exactly a Cinderella story either.
Despite suffering a 3-1 loss to France on the first day—a defeat that could have been even more lopsided—the team coached by Pape Thiaw went toe-to-toe with the tournament’s defending runner-up.
Especially during the first half.
The Lions of Teranga, African champions on the field but ultimately relegated to second place after the African Cup of Nations awarded the title to Morocco behind closed doors, have in Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly two icons of Senegalese soccer.
They are joined by other veterans such as Idrissa Gueye and Edouard Mendy.
In addition to a group of players in their prime, such as Nicolas Jackson, who has played on loan at Bayern Munich.
O Pape Gueye, who plays for Villarreal (Filed under: Norway vs. Senegal).
The main focus is Erling Haaland
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A decisive matchup that could determine the group’s fate
The Senegalese national team has encountered issues unrelated to sports.
Such as unpaid bonuses on the payroll, base camp facilities that could be in better condition, or the absence of the group’s chef.
According to reports from media outlets specializing in African sports.
If Haaland and his teammates secure the victory, the Norwegians would mathematically qualify for the playoffs.
Senegal would be virtually eliminated, with zero points and a negative goal difference of at least three goals.
The only previous match between Senegal and Norway was a friendly played in March 2006 in Dakar, which the Africans won.
This time, they’ll face off in the world’s top soccer competition (Filed under: Norway vs. Senegal).
Probable Lineups
Norway: Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, David Moller Wolfe; Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Fredrik Aursnes, Antonio Nusa; Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland. Head Coach: Stale Solbakken.
Senegal: Edouard Mendy; Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye; Ismaila Sarr, Lamine Camara, Sadio Mané; Nicolas Jackson. Head Coach: Pape Thiaw.
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (BRA).
Stadium: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey).
Time: 8:00 p.m. local time (12:00 a.m. GMT on Tuesday).
With information from EFE
For more information, visit NuevaOnda.com