The high-profile showdown between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe did not materialize. Norway coach Store Solbakken made the bold decision to make 10 changes, leaving Haaland on the bench. The match was played at Gillett Stadium in the United States, and France won 4-1. France's Ousmane Dembele dominated the match, scoring a hat-trick in the first half. Norway and France had both qualified for the round of 32, but this match decided who would lead their group. France is scheduled to play the third place teams from Groups C, D, F, G and H on June 30th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Norway will play Ivory Coast at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Haaland did not play in this match, leaving him one point behind Lionel Messi (5 goals) in the World Cup top scorer's race, and tied with Mbappé, Dembele and Brazil's Vinicius Junior on four goals. Coach Solbakken's decision to replace 10 players appears to have been intended to give the players a rest in preparation for the final tournament. None of the Norwegian players had a yellow card and there was no risk of suspension for the next match.
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W杯 2026June 27, 2026Samurai Blue Goal
World Cup 2026: Norway loses 4-1 to France, Haaland does not play
Norway's Erling Haaland did not play in the match against France, and the team lost 4-1. Norway will play Ivory Coast in the next round.
The high-profile showdown between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe did not materialize. Norway coach Store Solbakken made the bold decision to make 10 changes, leaving Haaland on the bench. The match was played at Gillett Stadium in the United States, and France won 4-1. France's Ousmane Dembele dominated the match, scoring a hat-trick in the first half. Norway and France had both qualified for the round of 32, but this match decided who would lead their group. France is scheduled to play the third place teams from Groups C, D, F, G and H on June 30th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Norway will play Ivory Coast at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Haaland did not play in this match, leaving him one point behind Lionel Messi (5 goals) in the World Cup top scorer's race, and tied with Mbappé, Dembele and Brazil's Vinicius Junior on four goals. Coach Solbakken's decision to replace 10 players appears to have been intended to give the players a rest in preparation for the final tournament. None of the Norwegian players had a yellow card and there was no risk of suspension for the next match.
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