Deadspin | WTA roundup: Two-time Stuttgart champ Iga Swiatek into quarterfinals
Mar 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) hits a backhand against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day three of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
In her first match with new clay-court coach Francisco Roig, former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek cruised past Laura Siegemund of Germany 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany.
Swiatek, a two-time champion at Stuttgart who is seeded No. 3, failed to capitalize on an early break in the opening set, but rebounded by breaking Siegemund in the sixth and eighth games. In the second set, the six-time Grand Slam champion missed out on another early break but again broke her opponent in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead before closing out the match. Swiatek, who had a first-round bye, is on to the quarterfinals.
Qualifier Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey pulled off a sizable upset, taking down fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 6-2 in a one-hour, 16-minute match. Sönmez landed 72% of her first serves and also won 62.5% percent of second-return points, while Paolini failed to convert her lone break-point opportunities and won just 41.8% of total points.
Fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine was among the other winners, dominating Eva Lys of Germany 6-1, 6-0. Sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia took down defending champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, American qualifier Alycia Parks defeated German wild card Noma Noha Akugue 6-4, 6-2, and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic outlasted Zhang Shuai of China 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.
Rouen Metropolitan Open
Unseeded Katie Boulter of Great Britain pulled off an upset of No. 3 seed Jaqueline Cristian of Romania, winning 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals at Rouen, France.
Boulter, who has won just once on the WTA Tour, survived a tough first set that saw her take a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker, only for Cristian to save five set points before Boulter prevailed. Cristian rebounded in the second set, but Boulter cruised in the third set, breaking Cristian twice en route to the win.
Top-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine dropped the opening set to unseeded American Caty McNally, then bounced back for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory to reach the quarterfinals. Kostyuk will face fifth-seeded American Ann Li, who notched a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph over unseeded Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan. Unseeded Tatjana Maria of Germany upset No. 9 seed Elsa Jacquemot of France 6-4, 6-3. Other winners included No. 2 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania, Anna Bondar of Hungary and Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine.
Mar 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) hits a backhand against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day three of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
In her first match with new clay-court coach Francisco Roig, former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek cruised past Laura Siegemund of Germany 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany.
Swiatek, a two-time champion at Stuttgart who is seeded No. 3, failed to capitalize on an early break in the opening set, but rebounded by breaking Siegemund in the sixth and eighth games. In the second set, the six-time Grand Slam champion missed out on another early break but again broke her opponent in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead before closing out the match. Swiatek, who had a first-round bye, is on to the quarterfinals.
Qualifier Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey pulled off a sizable upset, taking down fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 6-2 in a one-hour, 16-minute match. Sönmez landed 72% of her first serves and also won 62.5% percent of second-return points, while Paolini failed to convert her lone break-point opportunities and won just 41.8% of total points.
Fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine was among the other winners, dominating Eva Lys of Germany 6-1, 6-0. Sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia took down defending champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, American qualifier Alycia Parks defeated German wild card Noma Noha Akugue 6-4, 6-2, and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic outlasted Zhang Shuai of China 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.
Rouen Metropolitan Open
Unseeded Katie Boulter of Great Britain pulled off an upset of No. 3 seed Jaqueline Cristian of Romania, winning 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals at Rouen, France.
Boulter, who has won just once on the WTA Tour, survived a tough first set that saw her take a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker, only for Cristian to save five set points before Boulter prevailed. Cristian rebounded in the second set, but Boulter cruised in the third set, breaking Cristian twice en route to the win.
Top-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine dropped the opening set to unseeded American Caty McNally, then bounced back for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory to reach the quarterfinals. Kostyuk will face fifth-seeded American Ann Li, who notched a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph over unseeded Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan. Unseeded Tatjana Maria of Germany upset No. 9 seed Elsa Jacquemot of France 6-4, 6-3. Other winners included No. 2 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania, Anna Bondar of Hungary and Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine.
But there’s good news for those of you who need bit more cruelty with your sporting spectacle: That all ends after Saturday, when the new, and obviously larger and better (this is America after all) knockout phase begins Sunday with Canada facing South Africa.
Here’s everything you need to know about the business end of the World Cup, which begins to look a lot more like the playoff formats we know and love in American sports.
Who gets in?
Every team that finishes first or second in group play gets into the knockout phase. Of course, that would only be 24 teams, so in this expanded World Cup, the top eight third-place group finishers also receive a berth.
Those third-place teams are ranked by points they earn in their respective groups. For those finishing on the same number of points, the tiebreakers go in this order: Total goal difference, total goals scored, best discipline record (yellow and red cards), and then FIFA World Rankings.
The first- and second-place finishers have dedicated, pre-determined slots in the bracket. Those third-place teams that qualify are sorted into the remaining spots by that Ghanaian witch doctor who put a curse on Harry Kane.
OK, so they’re actually sorted by a complicated formula that merely feels like a creation of sorcery. But for American fans, the important thing to know is the U.S. men’s national team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.
How does it work?
Unlike the group stage that may feel foreign to fans of American sports, this is good, old-fashioned, single-elimination knockout play. The winner moves on. The loser goes home, though the wealthier players might stop off for a confusingly unappealing vacation in July in South Florida.
Also, the bracket is completely fixed, similar to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament, rather than the NFL, NBA or NHL Playoffs. There is no re-seeding after each round.
What if the match finishes tied?
In single-elimination matches in the World Cup and most other major competitions, teams play 30 minutes of extra time to decide a tie after 90. Teams switch ends after 15 minutes plus stoppage time, but it’s only a momentary pause.
Extra time is not a sudden-death format In other words, play continues after a goal, allowing a losing team to tie the match again or the winning team to add insurance.
For example, in the 1966 final, England defeated West Germany 4-2 in a final that was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, and England’s fourth goal lives on as one of the most iconic moments in their national team history.
In the 2022 final, Argentina and France each scored in extra time before Argentina eventually won on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw.
The match goes to penalties if still tied after 120 minutes.
Oh, the format. Each team takes five kicks from the spot, and the team that makes more moves on. If tied after five kicks, they go to a sixth, seventh, and so on in a manner similar to extra-inning baseball, where each team gets an additional attempt until there is a winner.
How long does this all take?
With the knockout phase doubled in size, there is an additional round and the process takes a little bit longer. The bracket and schedule is designed so that, at a minimum, every team has three off days between its last match and its next one (with the exception of the third-place match played a day before the World Cup final).
Unlike the NCAA Tournaments or the NFL Playoffs, the bracket so the games feel continuous. The first truly unscheduled day of the tournament won’t come until July 8. And there will only be five idle days in total until the final on July 19.
But there’s good news for those of you who need bit more cruelty with your sporting spectacle: That all ends after Saturday, when the new, and obviously larger and better (this is America after all) knockout phase begins Sunday with Canada facing South Africa.
Here’s everything you need to know about the business end of the World Cup, which begins to look a lot more like the playoff formats we know and love in American sports.
Who gets in?
Every team that finishes first or second in group play gets into the knockout phase. Of course, that would only be 24 teams, so in this expanded World Cup, the top eight third-place group finishers also receive a berth.
Those third-place teams are ranked by points they earn in their respective groups. For those finishing on the same number of points, the tiebreakers go in this order: Total goal difference, total goals scored, best discipline record (yellow and red cards), and then FIFA World Rankings.
The first- and second-place finishers have dedicated, pre-determined slots in the bracket. Those third-place teams that qualify are sorted into the remaining spots by that Ghanaian witch doctor who put a curse on Harry Kane.
OK, so they’re actually sorted by a complicated formula that merely feels like a creation of sorcery. But for American fans, the important thing to know is the U.S. men’s national team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.
How does it work?
Unlike the group stage that may feel foreign to fans of American sports, this is good, old-fashioned, single-elimination knockout play. The winner moves on. The loser goes home, though the wealthier players might stop off for a confusingly unappealing vacation in July in South Florida.
Also, the bracket is completely fixed, similar to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament, rather than the NFL, NBA or NHL Playoffs. There is no re-seeding after each round.
What if the match finishes tied?
In single-elimination matches in the World Cup and most other major competitions, teams play 30 minutes of extra time to decide a tie after 90. Teams switch ends after 15 minutes plus stoppage time, but it’s only a momentary pause.
Extra time is not a sudden-death format In other words, play continues after a goal, allowing a losing team to tie the match again or the winning team to add insurance.
For example, in the 1966 final, England defeated West Germany 4-2 in a final that was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, and England’s fourth goal lives on as one of the most iconic moments in their national team history.
In the 2022 final, Argentina and France each scored in extra time before Argentina eventually won on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw.
The match goes to penalties if still tied after 120 minutes.
Oh, the format. Each team takes five kicks from the spot, and the team that makes more moves on. If tied after five kicks, they go to a sixth, seventh, and so on in a manner similar to extra-inning baseball, where each team gets an additional attempt until there is a winner.
How long does this all take?
With the knockout phase doubled in size, there is an additional round and the process takes a little bit longer. The bracket and schedule is designed so that, at a minimum, every team has three off days between its last match and its next one (with the exception of the third-place match played a day before the World Cup final).
Unlike the NCAA Tournaments or the NFL Playoffs, the bracket so the games feel continuous. The first truly unscheduled day of the tournament won’t come until July 8. And there will only be five idle days in total until the final on July 19.
#FIFA #World #Cup #Knockout #Guide #Deadspin.com">FIFA World Cup Knockout Round Guide: Everything You Need to Know | Deadspin.com
For all the fun of the new 48-team World Cup format so far, there is a sense that the tournament is a little too forgiving, with 32 teams surviving the initial group phase.
But there’s good news for those of you who need bit more cruelty with your sporting spectacle: That all ends after Saturday, when the new, and obviously larger and better (this is America after all) knockout phase begins Sunday with Canada facing South Africa.
Here’s everything you need to know about the business end of the World Cup, which begins to look a lot more like the playoff formats we know and love in American sports.
Who gets in?
Every team that finishes first or second in group play gets into the knockout phase. Of course, that would only be 24 teams, so in this expanded World Cup, the top eight third-place group finishers also receive a berth.
Those third-place teams are ranked by points they earn in their respective groups. For those finishing on the same number of points, the tiebreakers go in this order: Total goal difference, total goals scored, best discipline record (yellow and red cards), and then FIFA World Rankings.
The first- and second-place finishers have dedicated, pre-determined slots in the bracket. Those third-place teams that qualify are sorted into the remaining spots by that Ghanaian witch doctor who put a curse on Harry Kane.
OK, so they’re actually sorted by a complicated formula that merely feels like a creation of sorcery. But for American fans, the important thing to know is the U.S. men’s national team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.
How does it work?
Unlike the group stage that may feel foreign to fans of American sports, this is good, old-fashioned, single-elimination knockout play. The winner moves on. The loser goes home, though the wealthier players might stop off for a confusingly unappealing vacation in July in South Florida.
Also, the bracket is completely fixed, similar to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament, rather than the NFL, NBA or NHL Playoffs. There is no re-seeding after each round.
What if the match finishes tied?
In single-elimination matches in the World Cup and most other major competitions, teams play 30 minutes of extra time to decide a tie after 90. Teams switch ends after 15 minutes plus stoppage time, but it’s only a momentary pause.
Extra time is not a sudden-death format In other words, play continues after a goal, allowing a losing team to tie the match again or the winning team to add insurance.
For example, in the 1966 final, England defeated West Germany 4-2 in a final that was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, and England’s fourth goal lives on as one of the most iconic moments in their national team history.
In the 2022 final, Argentina and France each scored in extra time before Argentina eventually won on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw.
The match goes to penalties if still tied after 120 minutes.
Oh, the format. Each team takes five kicks from the spot, and the team that makes more moves on. If tied after five kicks, they go to a sixth, seventh, and so on in a manner similar to extra-inning baseball, where each team gets an additional attempt until there is a winner.
How long does this all take?
With the knockout phase doubled in size, there is an additional round and the process takes a little bit longer. The bracket and schedule is designed so that, at a minimum, every team has three off days between its last match and its next one (with the exception of the third-place match played a day before the World Cup final).
Unlike the NCAA Tournaments or the NFL Playoffs, the bracket so the games feel continuous. The first truly unscheduled day of the tournament won’t come until July 8. And there will only be five idle days in total until the final on July 19.
Unlike any other major sport, the NHL Draft boasts selections across five-plus nations, two continents, and trying to mesh all that together with being able to successfully project who can transition to the NHL after playing under different rules. All we know about this draft is that LW Gavin McKenna will likely be the No. 1 overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and from there it could be anarchy.
One thing to watch is how many veteran players could be dealt tonight. Mammoth names like Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, and Zach Werenski are potentially finding new homes — and that adds a lot of intrigue to a class that is already deep on talent.
We’re following the first round live to grade this year’s picks.
No. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
The Leafs didn’t overthink this process and got the most dynamic skater in this class. A selfless wing, McKenna has an incredible eye for passing and a gift for setting his teammates up for success. A fluid skater who is light on his feet, McKenna does need to add some muscle to his frame to be more of a force against agressive defenders, and there’s work on the forecheck to be done — but the stage is set for McKenna to be an impact player as soon as he arrives in the NHL.
Unlike any other major sport, the NHL Draft boasts selections across five-plus nations, two continents, and trying to mesh all that together with being able to successfully project who can transition to the NHL after playing under different rules. All we know about this draft is that LW Gavin McKenna will likely be the No. 1 overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and from there it could be anarchy.
One thing to watch is how many veteran players could be dealt tonight. Mammoth names like Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, and Zach Werenski are potentially finding new homes — and that adds a lot of intrigue to a class that is already deep on talent.
We’re following the first round live to grade this year’s picks.
No. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
The Leafs didn’t overthink this process and got the most dynamic skater in this class. A selfless wing, McKenna has an incredible eye for passing and a gift for setting his teammates up for success. A fluid skater who is light on his feet, McKenna does need to add some muscle to his frame to be more of a force against agressive defenders, and there’s work on the forecheck to be done — but the stage is set for McKenna to be an impact player as soon as he arrives in the NHL.
#NHL #draft #instant #grades #firstround #pick">NHL draft instant grades for every 2026 first-round pick
The 2026 NHL Draft comes to us from Buffalo on Friday night for one of the biggest nights in hockey. It’s an opportunity for teams to find their stars of the future, and always rewards the organizations who have invested resources into their scouting departments, while identifying the most-talented scouts along the way.
Unlike any other major sport, the NHL Draft boasts selections across five-plus nations, two continents, and trying to mesh all that together with being able to successfully project who can transition to the NHL after playing under different rules. All we know about this draft is that LW Gavin McKenna will likely be the No. 1 overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and from there it could be anarchy.
One thing to watch is how many veteran players could be dealt tonight. Mammoth names like Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, and Zach Werenski are potentially finding new homes — and that adds a lot of intrigue to a class that is already deep on talent.
We’re following the first round live to grade this year’s picks.
No. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
The Leafs didn’t overthink this process and got the most dynamic skater in this class. A selfless wing, McKenna has an incredible eye for passing and a gift for setting his teammates up for success. A fluid skater who is light on his feet, McKenna does need to add some muscle to his frame to be more of a force against agressive defenders, and there’s work on the forecheck to be done — but the stage is set for McKenna to be an impact player as soon as he arrives in the NHL.
#Norway #France #FIFA #World #Cup #Highlights #Dembele #scores #hattrick #win #Les #Blues">Norway vs France FIFA World Cup Highlights — Dembele scores hat-trick in 4-1 win for Les Blues
NOR vs FRA — Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe face off for the first time on the international stage. Follow live score, updates and goals from Norway vs France at the FIFA World Cup 2026 here.
Updated : Jun 27, 2026 02:38 IST
France’s Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring a hat-trick against Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AP
France’s Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring a hat-trick against Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AP
elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France from Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Follow this space to find out as the match kicks off on a warm afternoon in the United States of America.
Norway vs France Highlights:
7’ Goal for France | Kylian Mbappe sent in a gorgeous through pass across the park to Dembele on the right. The PSG forward cut in to his left and then shot between two Norwegian defenders and past Egil Selvik to open the scoring for Les Blues.
20’ Goal for France | Mbappe combined with Dembele again, this time feeding him the ball from midfield. Dembele drifted to his left and then took a long-range, finding the bottom-left corner.
21’ Goal for Norway | France is caught cold seconds after the second goal as Andreas Schjelderup set up Aasgaard in the box. He took a grounded shot as Maignan was caught cold on the wrong side.
32’ Hat-trick for Dembele | Dembele shifted to his left with the ball stuck to his feet in the Norway box, and then curled the ball past Selvik to complete his hat-trick. He became the third Frenchman to score thrice in a World Cup match after Just Fontaine and Mbappe.
50’ Norway’s penalty miss | Jorgen Strand Larsen stepped up to take the penalty after Oscar Bobb was brought down in the box. The Crystal Palace forward aimed for the bottom-right corner but Mike Maignan made a save.
90+4’ Goal for France | Substitute Bradley Barcola sent in a cross to the centre and Desire Doue got his head to it, finding the bottom-right corner to make it 4-1.
Desire Doue’s late strike after a brilliant hat-trick by Ousmane Dembele sees Les Blues romp to dominant win over Norway. The two-time world champion will face Sweden for a spot in the round of 16.
90+4′
France attacks through set-play, with Bradley Barcola sending in a cross to the centre and Doue getting a head to it. He find the bottom-right corner to make it 4-1.
90+2′
The match has tapered into a rather lacklustre last quarter, with Dembele and Mbappe leaving the field, while Haaland remained on the bench throughout the game.
72′
Norway starts with fresh energy after the second hydration break. Oscar Bobb gets a pass in the box and tries a shot on goal. Maignan makes a crucial block and Lacroix clears the ball out of danger.
64′
France brings Dembele off, who leaves with a rousing applause from fans in the stadium. Three goals today – one that keeps France firmly ahead in the final group-stage match.
63′
Desire Doue tries to beat Ostigard along the left with a rainbow flick. However, he is surrounded by another Norwegian defender as he loses the ball.
58′
Selvik looked to have picked up an injury, but Norway’s medical team rushed to him for assistance and the Norwegian goalkeeper is back on his feet and hoofs the ball long from the goal kick.
56′
Desire Doue minuses to Mbappe at the edge of the box. The Real Madrid strike goes for right-footed hit, but the shot goes off-target, flying over the net.
51′
Norway employs an overload in the final third. Bobb triggers the attack, Schjelderup sets up Strand Larsen, but France eventually clears the ball out of danger.
50′
Strand Larsen steps up to take the penalty and aims for the bottom-right corner. Maignan guesses right and makes a save!
48′
Norway enjoys early possession in the second half. It has, however, chosen not to bring on Haaland. Meanwhile, Bobb gets the ball in the box, twists and turns and Hernandez brings him down. Michael Oliver points to the spot! Penalty to Norway.
Second half begins!
Both teams get back to the field after the break. Norway makes two changes as it looks to stop an in-form France and try and pull off a comeback.
June 27, 2026 01:22
HALFTIME
HT: Norway 1-3 France
A hat-trick by Ousmane Dembele keeps France firmly ahead against Norway at the break. The combination of Dembele and Mbappe has looked very dangerous throughout the first half, one that Les Blues will look to use the most in the knockouts.
45′
France has continued raining attacks one after another, with Olise, Dembele and Mbappe on the prowl against a second-string Norway side. But the fourth goal has somehow not arrived.
32′ Dembele scores a hat-trick!
Ousmane Dembele shifts to his left with the ball stuck to his feet in the Norway box, and then takes a shot that curls past Selvik to complete a hat-trick. He becomes the third Frenchman to score thrice in a World Cup match after Just Fontaine and Kylian Mbappe.
29′
Schjelderup carries the ball into the French box again. he tries to set up Strand Larsen. This time, France’s centre-backs rush back to put the attack to bed, with Maignan finally taking control of the ball.
28′
The match resumes after the hydration break as Norway hopes to pull off a combeack. It has already scored once, can it score again? We will find out soon.
21′ Norways pulls one back!
France is caught cold seconds after the second goal as Schjelderup sets up Aasgaard in the box. He takes a grounded shot as Maignan is caught cold as he goes to the wrong side.
Norway 1-2 France.
20′ Dembele scores again! NOR 0-2 FRA
Mbappe tries to drag the ball into Norway’s final third, he is dragged down. Mbappe doesn’t stop and feeds the ball to Dembele on the right as the referee gives an advantage. Dembele drifts to his left and takes a shot from outside the box to find the bottom-left corner.
17′
France attacks against the run of play quickly, with Desire Doue getting the ball along the left flank. He cuts to his right and then takes a shot, forcing a regulation save by Selvik.
June 27, 2026 00:48
OFFSIDE
16′
Dembele gets the ball along the right flank. As he tries to make a run into the box, the referee stops play as the forward was slightly off the line.
14′
Action on the other end! France’s defence is left in some sort of slumber as Strand Larsen gets the ball in the box and takes a shot, which goes over the net.
13′
Michael Olise runs into the box with the ball this time and takes a shot. Ostigard makes a crucial block at the last moment to deny a second to France.
12′
France looks on song at the moment. Olise wins the ball in the midfield, crosses to Mbappe on the right, but the Real Madrid striker’s angles is too narrow to cause any trouble for Les Blues.
7′ Dembele scores!
Mbappe sends in a gorgeous through pass across the park to Demble on the right. The PSG forward cuts in to his left and then shoots between two Norwegian defenders and past Selvik to open the scoring for Les Blues.
4′
Dembele plots an attack along the right. He beats his marker and sends the ball in for Olise. Though Norway initially clears it, the ball reaches Kone, who takes a shot on the volley after receiving it. The shot is on target but Selvik makes a good save!
3′
Norway has made 10 changes in its squad for it has already qualified for the knockouts. The decision clearly looks a tactical one, leaving fans waiting for the eye-watering clash between Mbappe and Haaland.
Kick Off!
France gets the ball rolling and Kylian Mbappe gets the ball into the final third and takes the shot. The ball comes off the post. It has not even been a minute!
A moment of silence before kick off!
Both teams gather around the centre-circle to observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela. A devastating eathquake shook Venezuela on June 24. The calamity has let to thousands getting displaced, while the death toll has risen to 920.
Minutes to kick off!
Players of Norway and France walk out of the tunnel, with fans in red and blue – of Norway as well as France – take their phones out to take photos. Some applaud as the teams take their positions for the national anthems.
From 1998 to 2026, Norway finds a unique connection with France
Norway’s presence at the 2026 World Cup breaks a massive 28-year tournament drought. The last time the Norwegian men qualified for a World Cup was back in 1998—a tournament famously hosted (and won) by France.
Did you know?
Norway vs France is being played at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. To meet strict FIFA regulations, the stadium had to temporarily replace its traditional synthetic turf with a fully natural grass surface specially grown and maintained just for these World Cup matches.
From the gantry: Guy Stephan, Assistant Coach, France
“Didier (Deschamps) wants to finish top, as the whole group does, because it would be completely different logistically,” Stephan said.
“The travel times to different cities would be a lot longer if we finish second. And there’s the issue of the temperatures, too. First place is best.”
From the gantry: Stale Solbakken, Norway head coach
“It is an important game (against France), but the most important is the round of 32,” Solbakken told a press conference.
“Knowing the prerequisites… we don’t know how many games we will get. It is 100 per cent certain that we will need to be rested for the round of 32, mentally and physically. It could be that we have to play 30 minutes of extra time or penalties.”
“There is an argument that these players are used to playing every three days, but here (there) is so much pressure. It is like a pressure cooker,” he added.
“We are very happy with six points. We can learn a lot from France because they have been in this situation. They are going to game three and will rest some players. We should not become too greedy. We have to be more smart than greedy.”
“He is not focused on being the top scorer. He is focused on the team, and he is a team player who is happy when a teammate scores,” Solbakken said. “He has the killer instinct and wants to score, but his greater strength is that he puts the team first.”
Major changes for Norway
Two of Norway’s attacking spearheads have been benched for this contest – Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. A very clear indication from the Norwegian head coach that the side is already preparing for its round of 32 contest.
To top or not to top: A question for all of France
France has already qualified for the round of 32. But the question that will haunt France is whether it should go for a point after all against Norway.
To top the group, Les Blues will need only a point – a result that will keep them in the Northeastern United States until the quarterfinals rather than take a long road through Dallas, Miami and Atlanta.
Though they will avoid clashes with the likes of Brazil, England and Portugal early on, their potential opponents, as group toppers, could include Germany in the round of 16 and European champion Spain in the semifinals.
Norway vs France predicted line-ups:
Though France and Norway have both qualified for the round of 32, they are both expected to put their best foot forward with the top spot up for grabs.
The best is perhaps always saved for the last. The final matchday of Group I features Norway and France locking horns for top spot in their group, a fixture that headlines Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland facing each other.
Both teams have already qualified for the round of 32 with consecutive wins, and the match will have plenty of subplots – La Liga veterans going up against Premier League overlords, World Cup heavyweights, Les Blues, taking on giant-killer Norway and a duel between two of the most exciting professionals of the sport in modern times.
Mar 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) hits a backhand against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day three of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images 
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