Mbappe v Haaland as France face Norway in World Cup group decider
LOS ANGELES, USA: A mouthwatering duel between in-form goalscorers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will take center stage at the World Cup on Friday as France face Norway in a crucial Group I decider. Real Madrid star Mbappe and Manchester City striker Haaland have started the tournament in blistering form, neck-and-neck on four goals apiece in the race for the Golden Boot, just behind leader Lionel Messi on five. On Friday the two forward will meet in a heavyweight collision at Foxborough, outside Boston at 3:00 p.m. local time (2000 GMT), with top spot in the group up for grabs. France, who looked majestic in swatting aside Senegal and Iraq, hold a slight advantage, with their superior goal difference meaning Les Bleus need only a draw to clinch first place in the group. But the Norwegians have been equally impressive, routing Iraq 4-1 in their opener before beating Senegal 3-2 on Monday. Haaland, playing in his first World Cup, has revelled in the global spotlight, playing with a swashbuckling gusto that could well ask hard questions of even France’s experienced defense. The 25-year-old has also embraced the tournament off the pitch, delighted at his ability to go sightseeing in New York City in relative anonymity. After clinching a place in the last 32 with the win over Senegal, Haaland insisted he was not fussed at the prospect of facing France — who he regards as favorites for the tournament — and laughed off suggestions that Norway were title contenders. “To win the World Cup, absolutely not,” he told Fox television. “We’ve won 12 competitive games in a row now.