A Viking Row And France 'Winning The Tournament': Haaland's Fun World Cup Night

Erling Haaland and his Norway teammates showed off their rowing talents after clinching a spot in the World Cup's round of 32. But those skills are still not better than Haaland's main sport. 

"It’s my specialty to score goals," Haaland said. "I’m just really good at scoring goals."

Haaland scored twice to raise his World Cup goals total to four, and the Vikings clinched advancement to the knockout rounds with a 3-2 win over Senegal on Monday night that was more of a slog than a sail.

After the final whistle, Norway's players and staff gathered tightly in a 10-row formation just inside the penalty area at the north end of New York New Jersey Stadium, facing their red-shirted supporters, Haaland sitting in front as teammate Martin Ødegaard banged on a bongo drum. They alternated with the fans performing the Viking Row — chanting "Ro!" while mimicking oarsmen.

"It was fun," Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said through an interpreter. "We will not be rowing after the World Cup, but this can be a gimmick during the tournament."

Marcus Pederson had put the Vikings ahead in the 43rd minute after replacing an injured teammate, and Haaland kept up his incredible goals streak in the 48th and 58th minutes to build a 3-1 lead.

"He's very efficient," Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said through an interpreter.

Haaland ran onto Martin Ødegaard's pass and put a left-footed shot past the outstretched left hand of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, capping an end-to-end counterattack for a 2-0 lead. He then joined Ødegaard and paid homage to Thierry Henry by doing the French World Cup winner's trademark corner flag celebration. 

For his second goal, Haaland tunneled through the defense and 8 yards out raised his weaker right foot to volley in Patrick