By Philip O'Connor
June 23 (Reuters) - Norway coach Stale Solbakken paid tribute to Erling Haaland after the striker netted his second double of the World Cup in a 3-2 Group I victory over Senegal on Monda to fire his side into the last 32, saying Norway would do all they could to help him win the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer.
Captain Martin Odegaard teed up Haaland to score his first goal in the 48th minute, and he added a second with a deft finish to make it 3-1, but the giant goal-poacher
also let a number of other chances go begging, and when Senegal pulled a goal back late on, it ensured a nervy finish.
"Well, I mean, today he did miss an open goal, and he could even have scored even four," Solbakken joked.
"No, I mean, he is the best striker - he is not playing for France or Argentina, he scores for Norway. He's scored four goals now, two braces on the biggest stage."
The Norwegians are second in the group with six points, behind France on goal difference ahead of the final game between the two on Friday, and though the French also boast a red-hot striker in Kylian Mbappe, Solbakken is backing his side to help Haaland.
"It's easier to win the Golden Boot when you play for France and Argentina, but we'll try to give Erling more games, and more help also in the next games. So he's on fire and I'm very happy for him that he can score on the biggest stage," Solbakken said.
NORWAY INTO LAST 32
Appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, the win over Senegal guaranteed that Norway will make it out of the group, and the team and coaches celebrated by indulging in the "row" chant made famous by their fans at the tournament.
With players visibly wilting in the second half, Solbakken hinted that he might rotate his squad ahead of the France game.
"We haven't started that planning (for France) yet, so now we will get back to our camp and make good restitution because we need that after a very tough game, and there will be other players who play that game," he said.
Haaland himself chose to talk up France.
"I don’t care, we are through - they’ll probably beat us and go on and win the whole tournament," he joked.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Ed Osmond)
