Norway halt 2025 AFCON Champions campaign in 5 Goals Thriller

In a kneeling contested match, played yesterday at MetLife Stadium, June 22nd, 2026, East Rutherford, New Jersey in USA. AFCON 2025 Champions, Senegal loss 2-3 to their Norwegian opponent.

However, the Lions of Teranga's had previously in their opener game to France fall short in a 1-3 encounter where Klane Mbappe scored a brace. 

Meanwhile, as a result of their defeat to the Scandinavian side that confirmed Senegal elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup title contention.

The Norwegians fought hard shortly before halftime, thereby taking the lead through substitute Pedersen. Though Senegal legend and Captain Kalidou Koulibaly initially intercepted Martin Odegaard's pass intended for Erling Haaland but failed to clear the danger. The loose ball fell kindly to Pedersen, who reacted quickest and fired a clinical finish beyond goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the 43rd minute.

Norway sensational striker Erling Haaland came through in the 48th minute with a launched and devastating counterattack, and Arsenal Midfielder Martin Odegaard threading a perfectly weighted pass through the Senegal defense which Erling Haaland timed his run to perfection, controlled superbly, and unleashed a powerful strike into the top-right corner. Although Mendy got a hand to the ball, he could not prevent it from finding the net.

Senegal responded positively and reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute. Sadio Mane combined effectively with Idrissa Gana Gueye before releasing Ismaila Sarr. The winger showed determination to get past his marker before producing an excellent finish into the top corner to bring Senegal back into the contest.

Undoubtedly, EPL best forward Erling Haaland restored Norway's two-goal cushion five minutes later. The Manchester City forward struck again in the 58th minute to complete his brace and put Norway firmly in control of the encounter.

A major talking point arrived later in the match when Gueye went down inside the penalty area following an aerial challenge from David Moller Wolfe. Senegal's players appealed strongly for a penalty, believing the Norwegian defender had made contact around Gueye's neck and throat. Despite the protests and a VAR review, the referee allowed play to continue.

Painfully, the Teranga Lion's of Senegal campaign has been halted. Despite a late finished from Ismaila Sarr who scored his second goal of the match in the 90th minute, but the late strike proved only a consolation as Norway held on for all three points.

The defeat leaves Senegal without a point after two matches, having previously lost 3-1 to France. As a result, the Lions of Teranga have been eliminated from the tournament before their final group-stage fixture.

Conclusively, if only Saido Mane can brace-up as Captain for Senegal, combine force with his teammates to get a victory in their last group stage match against Iraq on Thursday, 26th June 2026 in a consolidating manner. Regardless of the outcome, the West Africans can no longer progress to the knockout stages.