Two-goal Haaland fires Norway into last 32 with win over Senegal
FIFA World Cup
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway booked their place in the last 32 of the World Cup with victory over Senegal in New Jersey.
After just two games in the competition, the Manchester City striker has now scored twice as many goals (four) as any other Norway player in World Cup history.
AdvertisementAdvertisementFull-back Marcus Pederson, on as an early substitute, capitalised on a poor clearance from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly to put Norway 1-0 up late in the first half - before Haaland took over in the second.
He raced on to Martin Odegaard's incisive through ball to double the lead in the 48th minute - becoming Norway's all-time top scorer at World Cups in the process - before Ismaila Sarr pulled a goal back to give Senegal hope.
But Haaland restored his team's two-goal cushion five minutes later with a calmly taken side-foot volley which went in off the bar.
Haaland has now scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches for Norway, registering at least two goals in each of the past six.
AdvertisementAdvertisementSarr struck again in injury time to set up a nervy finale and the Crystal Palace winger could have equalised in the final seconds but put his header over the bar.
However, Stale Solbakken's Norway had been much the better side, even in a somewhat scrappy first half, and held on for a second straight win that means they have qualified from Group I alongside France.
Senegal must beat Iraq in their last group game to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages.
Analysis: Clinical Haaland shining on biggest stage
With four goals in two games, Haaland is clearly enjoying his first World Cup.
Rather than being weighed down by the pressure of spearheading his country's attack, he is thriving.
AdvertisementAdvertisementHis exploits for Manchester City in recent years mean he is already a superstar of the sport, but the World Cup remains the grandest stage of all and Haaland is doing all he can to make his mark.
The 25-year-old was quiet for much of the first half but showed his quality with a superb cushioned pass to tee up Odegaard, who should have scored.
Haaland then had the chance to show his captain how it is done in front of goal when he dispossessed Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy - but the striker hit the post with the goal at his mercy.
That was soon forgotten as he rifled in his first goal early in the second half, the inevitable conclusion of a swift Norway counter-attack.
AdvertisementAdvertisementNormal service had been resumed and another clinical finish, on the volley with his weaker foot, looked to have put the result beyond doubt and ultimately proved decisive.
By the end, the only surprise was that Haaland had not completed a first World Cup hat-trick. But with at least two more games to play, there is still plenty of time for that.
What's next for these teams?
Norway take on France in their final group game on Friday (20:00 BST). Both sides have already qualified but will be keen to finish top of the group.
Senegal face Iraq at the same time needing a win to have any chance of going through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
