Borussia Dortmund could face a defensive headache after Julian Ryerson was forced off with an injury during Norway’s 2-1 victory over Senegal on Friday. The fullback was substituted after just 13 minutes, raising concerns for both club and country as the international break continues.
Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway, securing the win after Marcus Pedersen had opened the scoring for the hosts. However, Ryerson’s early exit overshadowed the positive result, coming just days after Borussia Dortmund lost Nico Schlotterbeck to a tournament-ending injury. According to reports, both Ryerson and Schlotterbeck have been linked with potential moves away from the Bundesliga side this summer.
Pedersen, making his World Cup debut, scored his first international goal in his 33rd appearance for Norway, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime. Senegal responded strongly in the second half, with Ismaila Sarr netting twice, including a late goal that made for a tense finish. The assists for Senegal’s goals came from Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson, both formerly of Bayern Munich.
Antonio Nusa of RB Leipzig played 70 minutes for Norway, while Leo Østigård, who scored in his tournament debut last week, came on as a substitute. The injury to Ryerson adds to Dortmund’s defensive woes, particularly with Schlotterbeck already ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
Norway and France will face off on the final matchday of Group I, with the winner securing top spot. Senegal will battle Iraq for a potential qualification spot as one of the best third-placed teams. The extent of Ryerson’s injury remains unknown, but his early departure will be a worry for Dortmund as they prepare for the upcoming season and potentially navigate a summer transfer window with multiple defensive players attracting interest.
