Norway face Senegal test after dominant group start

Norway's 4-1 victory over Iraq showcased the attacking prowess that defined their European qualifying campaign, with Erling Haaland scoring twice on his World Cup debut. The performance underlined the technical and tactical sophistication of Ståle Solbakken's setup—a sharp contrast to the direct, physical approach that characterised Norway's last major tournament appearance a generation ago. Haaland's clinical finishing, combined with Martin Ødegaard's creative influence from midfield, illustrated the blueprint that has made Norway one of the tournament's emerging threats.

Senegal's loss to France came despite an impressive first-half showing in which they created the better chances and pressed cohesively. They found themselves undone by France's second-half intensity and Kylian Mbappé's decisiveness in front of goal, yet the performance suggested Senegal retain genuine quality in attack and defence. Kalidou Koulibaly anchors a solid backline, while the forward line boasts proven club pedigree across Europe's top leagues.

The desk's model sees Norway as the marginal favourite in this matchup, reflecting their dominant qualifying record, superior goal-scoring output, and the creative and finishing quality they displayed against Iraq. The market's implied pricing sits closer to a toss-up than the underlying data would suggest, offering some value on the Scandinavian side. Senegal's compactness and organisation, honed through earlier rounds, present a tactical challenge—they will look to frustrate and exploit set-piece opportunities—but Norway's width, pace, and technical fluidity in possession should generate sufficient chances over ninety minutes.

Key to the outcome will be whether Senegal can replicate the control and pressing coordination shown in the first half against France, or whether fatigue and the quality of Norway's attacking transitions prove decisive. The fixture hinges on Solbakken's men's ability to convert chances; Senegal will hope their defensive shape and counter-attacking threat can keep the scoreline tight.