Ryerson a doubt as Zlatan slams Norway's France rotation

Ryerson a doubt after closed-doors session

Ryerson missed Norway's closed training session on Saturday, and coach Ståle Solbakken did not sound optimistic (1). No firm diagnosis yet, but the right-back is a doubt for the round of 16. Losing him would sting, he scored the early breakthrough against Senegal and has been central to how Norway defend in transition.

France 4–1, Zlatan calls out the B-team gamble

Norway fell 4–1 to France in the group finale on Friday, with Solbakken rotating heavily and resting Erling Haaland entirely (2). Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not hold back: "Norway had a chance to top the group and get easier opponents in the knockout stage, but they were scared going into the match" (2). Solbakken called the rotation "a no-brainer." The result means Norway finish second in Group I.

Saliba absent, France still untroubled

William Saliba sat out France's match against Norway with a back issue, though it is not believed to be serious (3). Maxence Lacroix stepped in alongside the French backline. Norway's rotated attack never tested the second-choice defence, a missed opportunity.

Fan reactions

Fans on Reddit are split. Some back Solbakken, Haaland on fresh legs for the knockout round makes sense. Others point to the Zlatan quote and wonder if the mental edge against a weakened France was there for the taking. The "no-brainer" line is getting plenty of traction.