Norway 3-2 Senegal Match Analysis | World Cup 2026
Norway 3-2 (Senegal) — World Cup. Scout analysis: position quality, statistical leaders, and match phases.
Match summary
Norway took a 3-2 win over Senegal in World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford. The result did not fully mirror chance quality (expected goals 1.84–2.18), with 13 shots to 16 (7 on target vs 4) completing the attacking picture.
The half-time score was 1–0; the final whistle confirmed 3-2 under referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio.
Territorially, Senegal held the edge (42%–58%), yet possession alone never guaranteed penetration. Norway showed clinical finishing above their chance profile. Shot accuracy landed at 54% (Norway) and 25% (Senegal) — a useful proxy for composure in the final action.
Key moments
The decisive swings came in these phases:
43' — scored by Pedersen (Norway)
48' — scored by Haaland (Norway), assist: Ødegaard
53' — scored by Sarr (Senegal), assist: Mané
58' — scored by Haaland (Norway), assist: Berg
90+3' — scored by Sarr (Senegal), assist: Jackson
Woodwork hit — Norway 1, Senegal 0
Statistical breakdown
The full statistical audit below is grouped by phase of play. Figures read as Norway · Senegal.
Overall performance
Possession: Norway 42% · Senegal 58%
Expected Goals: Norway 1.84 · Senegal 2.18
Expected Goals on Target (xGoT): Norway 2.43 · Senegal 2.02
On Target: Norway 7 · Senegal 4
xG / Shots: Norway 0.14 · Senegal 0.14
GOALS: Norway 3 · Senegal 2
Shooting profile
Shots: Norway 13 · Senegal 16
Shot efficiency: Norway 54% · Senegal 25%
Big Chances Created: Norway 4 · Senegal 4
Big Chances Missed: Norway 3 · Senegal 2
Pass Accuracy: Norway 80% · Senegal 88%
Cross accuracy: Norway 30% · Senegal 33%
Passing game
Passes: Norway 352 · Senegal 487
Key Passes: Norway 9 · Senegal 13
Passes In Final Third: Norway 46 · Senegal 64
Attacking volume
DRIBBLES: Norway 6 · Senegal 9
Corners: Norway 4 · Senegal 1
Total Crosses: Norway 10 · Senegal 24
Defensive actions
Tackles: Norway 12 · Senegal 15
Interceptions: Norway 8 · Senegal 10
CLEARANCES: Norway 26 · Senegal 18
Duels Won: Norway 40 · Senegal 54
Duel success rate: Norway 43% · Senegal 57%
AERIALS WON: Norway 19 · Senegal 17
Ball Recovery: Norway 43 · Senegal 41
Discipline & goalkeeping
FOULS: Norway 13 · Senegal 5
Offsides: Norway 0 · Senegal 4
Hit Woodwork: Norway 1 · Senegal 0
Saves: Norway 2 · Senegal 3
Attacking analysis
Big chances: Norway 4 – 4 Senegal; missed: 3 – 2.
Key passes (Norway 9 – 13 Senegal) and final-third entries (46 – 64) shaped where attacks broke through.
Shot quality (xG per shot): Norway 0.14 – 0.14 Senegal.
Defensive analysis
Defensive actions: Norway recorded 12 tackles, 8 interceptions and 26 clearances; Senegal 15, 10 and 18 respectively.
Duel success rate: Norway 43% – 57% Senegal; aerial duels won 19 – 17.
Ball recoveries (Norway 43 – 41 Senegal) underline how often each side regained control in transition.
Goalkeeper duel
Nyland (Norway): 2 saves, 2 conceded, 20 accurate passes, 50% save rate, rating 6.44.
Mendy (Senegal): 3 saves, 3 conceded, 12 accurate passes, 50% save rate, rating 6.17.
Statistical leaders
Expected Goals (xG): Sarr (Senegal) — 1.58; Haaland (Norway) — 0.69
KEY PASSES: Mané (Senegal) — 5; Diatta (Senegal) — 2
DRIBBLES: Mané (Senegal) — 4; Berg (Norway) — 2
TACKLES: Mané (Senegal) — 3; Ajer (Norway) — 3
INTERCEPTIONS: Berge (Norway) — 4; Gueye (Senegal) — 2
Total Shots: Sarr (Senegal) — 6; Haaland (Norway) — 5
Player performance
Haaland (Norway) was the clearest individual reference point on 8.57 rating (0.69 xG, 2 key passes, 5 shots). He combined volume with impact in the phases where the game tilted.
Norway — other profiles that stood out:
Ødegaard (Norway, 7.15) (0.41 xG, 1 key passes, 3 shots, 1 tackles) — a profile worth tracking in the next fixture cycle.
Ajer (Norway, 7.11) (0.22 xG, 1 shots, 3 tackles) — a profile worth tracking in the next fixture cycle.
Berg (Norway, 7.07) (1 key passes) — a profile worth tracking in the next fixture cycle.
Senegal — other profiles that stood out:
Mané (Senegal, 7.93) (5 key passes, 3 tackles) — a profile worth tracking in the next fixture cycle.
Sarr (Senegal, 7.49) (1.58 xG, 6 shots, 1 tackles) — a profile worth tracking in the next fixture cycle.
Niakhaté (Senegal, 7.45) (2 tackles) — a profile worth tracking in the next fixture cycle.
Gueye (Senegal, 7.22) (0.05 xG, 1 key passes, 2 shots, 1 tackles) — a profile worth tracking in the next fixture cycle.
Senegal — below baseline (Koulibaly 4.98): These profiles need a tactical reset before the next assignment.
Match phases
First half produced 1 goal(s) (1–0); the second half added 4 more for a 3–2 final score.
1 goal(s) arrived in the final 15 minutes (+ stoppage), keeping the closing phase open.
Tactical notes
Norway lined up in 4-3-3, while Senegal used 4-2-3-1.
Senegal tried to control rhythm through longer spells on the ball (%42 – %58).
Dribbling volume: Norway 6 – 9 Senegal successful take-ons.
Standings impact
Norway sits 2nd on 6 pts, GF/GA 7/3, record 2W-0D-0L, form: WW.
Senegal sits 3rd on 0 pts, GF/GA 3/6, record 0W-0D-2L, form: LL.
Pressure & tempo
First-half pressure index: Norway 9.3 – 7.8 Senegal.
Second-half pressure index: Norway 7.7 – 18.8 Senegal.
The tempo shifted after the break: Senegal sustained higher attacking pressure.
Norway peak pressure: minute 38 (index 58.7)
Senegal peak pressure: minute 58 (index 78.2)
Match-average pressure index: Norway 7.4 – 15.2 Senegal.
Substitutions
13' — Norway: Ryerson off, Pedersen on
46' — Norway: Aursnes off, Berg on
54' — Senegal: Diouf off, Jakobs on
54' — Senegal: Gueye off, Mbaye on
63' — Senegal: Camara off, Ciss on
63' — Senegal: Mendy off, Diaw on
71' — Norway: Nusa off, Schjelderup on
72' — Senegal: Koulibaly off, Sarr on
84' — Norway: Sørloth off, Bobb on
84' — Norway: Heggem off, Østigård on
Scout verdict
Norway edged a tight contest despite Senegal creating 2.18 xG.
Analysis powered by StatsLook match data.
