Mbappé vs Haaland as France aim for top spot against Norway

France face Norway tonight with top spot on the line

Your team go into the final Group I match against Norway on Friday at 9pm local time knowing what is at stake: first place and a smoother knockout path (1) (5). The Bleus beat Iraq 4–1 in the opener and have momentum. They want to stay unbeaten through the group (5).

The squad wants this one for Deschamps

Didier Deschamps lost his mother during the tournament. The players know it. Sources close to the camp say the squad is determined to deliver for their manager on Friday (2). These are the moments that bind a group.

Olise, Doué, Mbappé, Dembélé, the front four is clear

Deschamps is expected to roll out Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé, and Ousmane Dembélé in attack against Norway (6). The quartet has not quite clicked yet, but the Iraq match showed flashes. Norway will be the real test.

Haaland vs Mbappé, and a City subplot

Erling Haaland against Kylian Mbappé. Two of the best in the world, head to head, with Manchester City watching closely (3). Mbappé scored twice in the opener. Haaland carries Norway's hopes entirely on his shoulders. The Norwegian kids are not shy about it: "Haaland is better than Mbappé," young players from Lillehammer FK told reporters ahead of the match (7).

How to watch

France vs Norway kicks off Friday at 9pm. Check your local listings, the match is broadcast across the usual World Cup channels (4).

Fan-reaktioner

France vs Norway is the standout Group I fixture on Matchday 3, and Reddit fans are circling it as one of the day's must-watch games alongside Germany vs Ecuador and Japan vs Sweden. The Mbappé-Haaland duel is the obvious draw, and supporters expect a proper contest for first place.

See the Matchday 3 discussion on r/worldcup