Norway v France · OurXI

★ The storyline

O. Dembele helps himself to a hat-trick

Three for O. Dembele. France have a matchwinner in the form of his life — the kind of afternoon that turns a tournament, and a reputation, in ninety minutes.

O. Dembele

TalismanDeveloping

France are up and running

France got the job done, 4–1 against Norway in the group stage. A good day at the office for ours — exactly the start you want, and the kind of result that makes the next one feel lighter.

TalismanDeveloping

France put Norway to the sword

France 4, Norway 1. A statement in the group stage — they didn't just win, they sent a message. The kind of result that makes the rest of the field sit up.

TalismanDeveloping

Haaland's Quest: Norway Tests Its Mettle Against France

Norway arrive at the World Cup with attacking ambitions, averaging 3.5 goals per game in recent form and riding a recent win over Sweden. But this is the reckoning: a meeting with France, one of the tournament's heavyweights, offers the acid test of whether Ståle Solbakken's side can truly compete at this level. Erling Haaland anchors Norwegian hopes, a player whose reputation transcends mere finishing. Everything hinges on whether Norway can impose their rhythm or whether France's experience proves too much.

Erling Haaland

Source: FOX Sports — via web search

Why it matters

Ours are out — France have a job to do in Group I.

Who to watch

Talisman

Erling Haaland

Norway

The team's gravity and one of the planet's deadliest finishers, hungry for a long-awaited global stage.

★ Ours · Talisman

Kylian Mbappé

France

The gravity around which France's attack orbits — the man the whole tournament will be watching.

Developing

France are through to the last 32

France are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.

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Norway are through to the last 32

Norway are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.

Developing

France bow out

And there it ends. France fall to England, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.

Developing

France bow out

And there it ends. France fall to England 6–4 in the final, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.