'Let's be Realistic': Haaland Cools Norway's World Cup Expectations

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - Norway v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 22, 2026 Norway coach Stale Solbakken, Erling Haaland and teammates perform the traditional Viking rowing celebration for their fans after the match REUTERS/Mike Segar
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - Norway v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 22, 2026 Norway coach Stale Solbakken, Erling Haaland and teammates perform the traditional Viking rowing celebration for their fans after the match REUTERS/Mike Segar
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'Let's be Realistic': Haaland Cools Norway's World Cup Expectations

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - Norway v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 22, 2026 Norway coach Stale Solbakken, Erling Haaland and teammates perform the traditional Viking rowing celebration for their fans after the match REUTERS/Mike Segar
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - Norway v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 22, 2026 Norway coach Stale Solbakken, Erling Haaland and teammates perform the traditional Viking rowing celebration for their fans after the match REUTERS/Mike Segar

Erling Haaland said Norway must be realistic about what they can achieve at the World Cup after qualifying for the last 32 on Monday with a 3-2 win over Senegal.

Haaland followed up his brace in the opening 4-1 victory over Iran with two more goals as Norway won consecutive games at the World Cup for the first time.

Norway have lost just one of their past 18 matches and will take on 2022 runners-up France in Boston on Friday to determine the winners of Group I.

However, Haaland cautioned against getting carried away after the team's strong start to their first World Cup since 1998.

"To qualify for the first time in 28 years and going through the group stage I would say, yes. To win the World Cup, absolutely not," said Haaland.

"We've won 12 competitive games in a row now. I'm part of something special, making history, and I'm extremely proud to be Norwegian."

Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match between Senegal and Norway, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, 22 June 2026. EPA/OLGA FEDOROVA

In this tournament, the Manchester City striker is level with Kylian Mbappe on four goals and one behind Lionel Messi, who has netted all five of Argentina's goals at the tournament so far and in the process has become the World Cup's highest scorer in history with 18 goals.

Haaland meanwhile took his international tally to a remarkable 59 goals in 52 games.

"I think it's my specialty, to score goals," said Haaland.

"It's like many others things, I'm just really good at scoring goals and I'm quite lucky. I don't know what I'm doing. It's just how it is."

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw must hold out hope his team can beat Iraq in their final game to have a chance of reaching the knockout phase.

"A tough match against a team that caused us problems; they were very clinical and scored two goals at the worst possible times," said Thiaw.

"After the first goal we regrouped, but we conceded a second. We have to encourage the players because it's not easy.

"We need to focus on this last match and give everything to get the three points and keep hoping. It's difficult, but we're not dead yet."



Senegal in Trouble but World Cup Dream Not Dead, Coach Says

 Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw walks off the pitch after the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw walks off the pitch after the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
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Senegal in Trouble but World Cup Dream Not Dead, Coach Says

 Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw walks off the pitch after the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw walks off the pitch after the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)

Senegal ‌are in a precarious position after two World Cup defeats, but coach Pape Bouna Thiaw said his side's hopes of progress at the tournament are not dead.

Senegal were expected to be strong contenders at the World Cup in North America, but lost their opening Group I fixture 3-1 to France and went down 3-2 to Norway on Monday.

“I think that it was a difficult game for us against a very strong Norwegian side that put us into very difficult situations ‌as they were ‌very efficient,” said Thiaw.

“We conceded goals ‌at ⁠probably the worst ⁠time that we could have, just before half-time and then just after we came out for the second half.

"But we need to congratulate Norway, and I'm encouraging my players not to be despondent because it wasn't easy. We were looking for a positive result and looking to go away with ⁠three points, but this just didn't happen for ‌us this evening.”

France, who beat ‌Iraq 3-0 earlier in Philadelphia, and Norway are both on six ‌points and through to the next round.

The best Senegal ‌can do is take one of the eight slots for the best third-placed finishers, but need to beat Iraq in their last group game in Toronto on Friday to stand any chance.

“We've got ‌one match to go, and we need to focus on this last game, and try ⁠it and ⁠get three points and then cross our fingers," Thiaw said.

“I think it's a little bit too early to say that we failed. We're not dead. We’re not in a good position, and it is true that it’s the first time that Senegal has started a World Cup campaign with two defeats.

“But we've still got a chance to qualify, and we're going to focus on the last game. We want to try and get those three points and hope that we can go through.

“Once you’re in the next round, then it's another tournament that starts,” he added.


Algeria’s Win Lifts Kansas Town That Adopted Their World Cup Dream

A pennant of Algeria, whose home base for the 2026 World Cup tournament is at the nearby University of Kansas, is displayed in a shop window before the game against Argentina, in Lawrence, Kansas, US, June 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A pennant of Algeria, whose home base for the 2026 World Cup tournament is at the nearby University of Kansas, is displayed in a shop window before the game against Argentina, in Lawrence, Kansas, US, June 16, 2026. (Reuters)
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Algeria’s Win Lifts Kansas Town That Adopted Their World Cup Dream

A pennant of Algeria, whose home base for the 2026 World Cup tournament is at the nearby University of Kansas, is displayed in a shop window before the game against Argentina, in Lawrence, Kansas, US, June 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A pennant of Algeria, whose home base for the 2026 World Cup tournament is at the nearby University of Kansas, is displayed in a shop window before the game against Argentina, in Lawrence, Kansas, US, June 16, 2026. (Reuters)

Algeria's ‌win over Jordan on Monday was a boost to the North African side's World Cup hopes and a shared triumph for the small US college city that has embraced the team as its own.

In Lawrence, a city of about 96,000 people and home to the University of Kansas, fans gathered for a watch party that turned downtown into a sea of green, white and red as the team secured their first group match victory.

The city has served as Algeria's base camp during the tournament, with the African team attracting huge attention even as global heavyweights Argentina, England and the Netherlands set up around 40 miles (64.4 km) away in Kansas City.

Locals have gone viral online in recent weeks for their enthusiastic welcome of the team, a reception that coach Vladimir Petkovic said had ‌given his players ‌a lift.

Despite a 3-0 opening loss to reigning champions Argentina in ‌Kansas ⁠City, Lawrence has ⁠doubled down on its support.

Fans will have another chance to see the team up close when Algeria face Austria in a decisive Group J match in Kansas City on Saturday, with many planning to attend.

The city's embrace has extended beyond matches, with streets and storefronts carrying Algerian decoration and even trees illuminated in the nation's colors.

The surge in enthusiasm has also provided a boost to local commerce. Restaurants have expanded halal offerings, while Algeria-themed merchandise has flown off the shelves.

Morgan Fellers, who has ⁠been selling Algeria T-shirts, said demand has far exceeded expectations.

A woman wearing an Algeria flag attends a street party showing Argentina's match against Algeria’s team, whose home base for the 2026 World Cup tournament is at the nearby University of Kansas, in Lawrence, Kansas, US, June 16, 2026. (Reuters)

"Sales have been ‌great," she said. "It has been honestly just magical, kind ‌of bringing the team and Lawrence together and making them feel at home."

Fellers said she had to reprint ‌her initial order of 100 shirts multiple times.

"We print them here locally in town. I ‌think all in all, we sold around 400, 450 shirts. My printer is having panic attacks every time I text him," she said.

For many, the connection is personal. Djamila Iadadeni, an Algerian who has lived in the US for 18 years, said she plans to attend the Austria match.

"I am so excited to ‌see our team here... I am so happy with what they did in Lawrence for our team," she said. "Every two years or three ⁠years we go to ⁠visit our country, but this time they come here to us, visit us here in Kansas."

Artists and community leaders have also played a role in welcoming the team. Kansas earthwork artist Stan Herd created a large Algerian flag display near the Lied Center, part of what he described as a broader effort to bring cultures together.

"We want the world to know that most of the people in this country right now totally embrace everything about them. We want to know about their culture," he said.

Fans were on tenterhooks when Nizar Al-Rashdan opened the scoring for Jordan in the first half on Monday, but exploded in joy as Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri's second-half goals secured Algeria the win.

As Algeria head into their decisive clash with Austria, Lawrence will be watching.

"They're the home team, so we're going out and we're supporting them," said fan Matt Munoz, who will be at the Kansas City stadium on Saturday. "Very excited. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing."


Algeria Rally to Eliminate World Cup Debutants Jordan in 2-1 Win

 Algeria's Nadhir Benbouali (12) celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Algeria's Nadhir Benbouali (12) celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
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Algeria Rally to Eliminate World Cup Debutants Jordan in 2-1 Win

 Algeria's Nadhir Benbouali (12) celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Algeria's Nadhir Benbouali (12) celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)

Algeria stormed back to beat Jordan 2-1 and eliminate the World Cup debutants with a match to spare on Monday thanks to second-half goals from substitute Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri.

Benbouali's header cancelled out Nizar Al-Rashdan's first-half opener and Gouiri poked home in a goalmouth scramble eight minutes from time to revive Algeria's campaign after their opening 3-0 loss to Argentina.

"I don't know if we showed our true face, but we played a better game than against Argentina," forward Gouiri said.

"We conceded a goal, but we had the mental resilience and we're gradually gaining strength, and this match will do us a lot of good."

The victory put Algeria level with Austria on three points in Group ‌J, while ensuring ‌defending champions Argentina will go through to the next round as ‌group ⁠winners following their ⁠2-0 win over the Austrians earlier on Monday.

Tearful Jordan keeper Yazeed Abu Laila said his team were unlucky.

"The goals we conceded weren't really down to tactics or anything like that. We had the game under control, but we missed our chances," he said. "As players, we have to look at the details and take responsibility.

"We blame ourselves and apologize to our fans."

Jordan's Nizar Alrashdan (21), right, and Saleem Obaid (17), left, react after their loss in the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)

MAHREZ RETURNS

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic put veteran attacker Riyad Mahrez into his starting 11 after benching him against Argentina, and he proved influential in breaking down a ⁠Jordan team that defended in numbers and were quick on the counter.

The ‌former Manchester City player delivered the corner for Benbouali's header ‌and was unlucky not to score in the first half.

He blew an early chance when he ran onto ‌a sublime lofted pass from Hicham Boudaoui, but lost the ball under his feet. He then ‌latched onto another long ball from Boudaoui to be one-on-one with Abu Laila, but the Jordan goalkeeper got a hand to his chipped shot.

Jordan, who lost their opener 3-1 to Austria, went ahead in the 36th minute following clever link-up play and a touch of fortune when Algeria midfielder Ramiz Zerrouki turned the ball over ‌in defense.

Mousa Al-Tamari's shot went sideways to Al-Rashdan, who drilled the ball home first-time into the bottom right corner.

Petkovic brought on Nabil Bentaleb ⁠and Benbouali at the ⁠break, and Algeria lifted their intensity.

Surrounded by Jordan defenders, Benbouali rose highest to meet a Mahrez corner and sent a glancing header bouncing into the corner of the net in the 69th minute, with the goal confirmed after a protracted Video Assistant Referee check.

Thirteen minutes later, Algeria took the lead from another set piece.

Spectators cheer for their teams during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)

Substitute Anis Hadj Moussa curled in a corner kick and a deflection off Jordan goalscorer Al-Rashdan allowed a gleeful Gouiri to poke in the winner.

For Algeria, it sets the stage for a grudge match against Austria, 44 years after the "Disgrace of Gijon".

At the 1982 World Cup, Austria and West Germany played an infamous group match in which both advanced at the expense of Algeria and fanned allegations of collusion.

West Germany and Austria denied wrongdoing and FIFA cleared them.

Algeria can take a measure of revenge against Austria when they face them in Kansas City on Saturday, while Jordan take on Argentina and superstar Lionel Messi, who has scored all five of their goals at the World Cup so far.