Norway vs France and the Haaland-Mbappe duel

Erling Haaland has scored four goals in his first two World Cup outings. Kylian Mbappé has done the same, and he has also moved to 16 career World Cup goals. Norway vs France is therefore not just a Group I fixture, it is a Golden Boot checkpoint for two forwards who have started the tournament at full speed.

Haaland and Mbappe at the top of the race

Haaland’s start is the kind of return that changes how opponents plan a game. Four goals from two matches is already enough to put Norway in the mix at the top of the scoring charts, and it gives them a striker who needs only one good stretch to decide a match.

Mbappé is matching him stride for stride. His four goals in two World Cup matches also carry added weight because his career tally now stands at 16, which puts extra pressure on every chance France create. France have already scored six goals across their first two World Cup matches, so the supply line around him has been strong too.

Norway's wider threat and France's control

Norway are not leaning on Haaland alone. They have scored seven goals in the tournament, the joint second-most of all teams and only behind Germany. Defensive-minded players have also contributed directly to four of those goals, with one each for Leo Østigård and Marcus Pedersen, plus assists from Sander Berge and David Moller Wolfe. Ben Knapton described the mood in the camp as having "a real strong sense of unity and togetherness."

France have looked more controlled than flashy. Knapton said they "have certainly impressed from a team perspective" and went about their business with "thorough professionalism." Didier Deschamps will miss the match after returning home following his mother's death, with Guy Stephan taking charge. Julian Ryerson is also a doubt after going off in the 13th minute against Senegal with a muscular injury.

That injury situation could matter if Norway want to keep the game open enough for Haaland to stay central to the contest. Even so, the main attraction remains the same: Haaland and Mbappé have both opened with four goals, and Norway vs France now has a Golden Boot edge that few group games can match.