Haaland and Norway face France for Group I top spot

France on Friday, first place on the line

Your team faces France in the Group I finale on Friday with top spot at stake (1) (3) (4). Norway are already through to the round of 16 after the 3–2 win over Senegal, but this decides who you get in the knockout draw.

Deschamps will not be on the touchline

France head coach Didier Deschamps misses the match after the passing of his mother. Assistant Guy Stéphan will take charge of Les Bleus (5). A human moment that shifts the dugout dynamic, even for 90 minutes.

Dembélé could sit, France may rotate

France are considering resting Ousmane Dembélé for this one and changes are expected across the lineup (1) (4). First place matters, but Deschamps's side have room to shuffle.

Haaland vs Mbappé, the rivalry that delivers

Erling Haaland has four goals in the tournament after his double against Senegal (2). Kylian Mbappé stands opposite him Friday. Haaland does not want the comparison: "I don't like comparing myself to others. We have to have our own identity as a player. The press has done it with Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi for the last ten years and they push each other. I think it has been positive," he said (3). Haaland has outscored Mbappé in their head-to-head meetings, though the Frenchman has won more of them (3).

Fan reactions

Norwegian fans are quietly noting the company they could keep. Six teams, including Norway, can still finish the group phase with a perfect nine points, USA, Germany, France, Argentina, and Colombia are the others (/u/Pristine_Youth_6953). Off the pitch, the squad's decision to bring their own food and chefs to the US has drawn attention and a fair bit of respect among supporters.